Minister hits back at housing shortage criticism

A JUNIOR minister has hit back at criticism from a Northside TD over a shortage of social housing provision in his constituency.

Deputy Tommy Broughan (Lab) has called on Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, to immediately address the chronic shortage in Dublin Bay North.

However, in a statement to Northside People, Minister O’Sullivan said Deputy Broughan was

“strong on criticism but short on solutions

?.

Mr Broughan is demanding that Minister O’Sullivan reports on her Department’s plans in 2013, and over the next two years, to address the huge shortage of social housing in both Dublin city and in the Howth/Malahide area.

“I am appealing to the Minister to campaign with her colleagues in Government, particularly Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, to approve additional funding for a capital investment programme to build social housing units,

? he stated.

Deputy Broughan also voiced his dissatisfaction at the high number of individuals on the housing list. He quoted figures he had recently received from Dublin City Council which show that just under 20,000 citizens and families are on the city’s housing list.

In Area B, which forms a large part of Deputy Broughan’s constituency, there are 5,152 families and individuals on the housing list and 1,124 on the transfer list.

In contrast, only 115 housing units were allocated in Area B in 2011, with 149 units in 2012 and 68 units to date in 2013.

In a frank exchange in the Dail, Deputy Broughan pointed out to Minister O’Sullivan that when senior citizens’ accommodation was excluded, only 67 housing units were allocated in 2011, 89 units in 2012 and 45 units to date in 2013.

“The rate of allocation is wholly inadequate to meet the needs of individuals and families so desperately in need of housing,

? he declared.

Fingal County Council has informed Deputy Broughan that there are approximately 9,000 individuals on its housing waiting list.

Minister O’Sullivan pointed out the constraints of her department’s budget but Deputy Broughan said this was

“simply not good enough

?.

“What is the Minister going to do to assist individuals and families who are in desperate need of housing right now?

? he asked.

“I have families who are 8, 9, 10, 11, 14 and even 17 years on the housing list,

? he added.

But Minister O’Sullivan told Northside People:

“Deputy Broughan identified some of the major housing challenges facing us – he’s strong on criticism but short on solutions.

“The Government is using a variety of routes to address housing need. We are securing properties from NAMA, leasing other properties and supporting those in private rented accommodation through rent supplement. We are also working closely with the not-for-profit housing sector to increase supply.

“I agree with Deputy Broughan about the value of social housing construction. However, we can’t build houses without large capital budgets and the reality is that the money isn’t available at present. That is why we are using leasing and NAMA for instance to boost social housing supply.

?

Minister O’Sullivan said the reality was that no amount of criticism from Deputy Broughan could change that.

“The housing construction we are undertaking is targeted at people with special housing needs, such as the elderly, people with a disability and the homeless,

? she stated.

“As the public finances improve I am determined that we see a return to social housing construction. Housing is a priority for this Government. For instance, I recently announced a e50 million investment in our existing housing stock.

“This initiative will see 25,000 local authority houses insulated, resulting in lower energy bills and warmer homes for thousands of families.

?

Minister O’Sullivan added:

“My colleague, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, also completed a review of rent supplement that will see rent caps increase in the Dublin area.

?

Meanwhile, Donaghmede ward councillor Micheal Mac Donncha (SF) has also demanded action to deal with the problem.

“There is a housing crisis in this city – between the numbers on the social housing waiting list, the numbers in sub-standard accommodation, those struggling with inadequate rent supplement and those in mortgage distress,

? he said.

“This is a direct result of policy failures by successive Governments.

“We need a fundamental change in housing policy, recognising housing as a right and a necessity.

?