Construction of local authority housing a significant step forward in solving social housing crisis – Durkan

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Bernard J. Durkan, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement in Budget 2014 of funding for the direct construction of local authority housing.

“I welcome today’s announcement which will go a long way towards addressing the serious housing crisis faced by the more than 8,000 people on local authority housing lists in the greater Dublin area. The total housing allocation for 2014 will result in an investment of over €500 million on a range of programmes.

“Under the social housing scheme, 185 new units will be constructed over the next year, up to 2,500 new transfers will take place under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, and approximately 4,400 leased housing units are expected to be made available to those on the housing lists next year.

“These measures will go a long way towards addressing long waiting lists for social housing. Construction jobs will be created as the new houses are being built which will go some way towards assisting workers who have been out of work following the crash in the building industry. I would like to commend Ministers Hogan and O’Sullivan for including these measures in Budget 2014.”

ENDS