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-Key commitment in PfG approved by cabinet- -Will result in accelerated delivery of social housing 

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the approval at Cabinet of one of the key commitments in the Programme for Government.

The Programme for Government proposed that appropriate controls be put in place to allow local authority discretionary funding to increase from €2m to €6m for social housing projects.

Minister O’Brien said that Cabinet approval for the introduction of a single stage approval process for capital expenditure on social housing construction projects up to €6m meant that local authorities would have greater autonomy in constructing social housing leading to accelerated delivery. It will be operational from September 2020.

He explained,

This single stage approvals process strikes a balance between appropriate oversight and the need to deliver on a core Government policy of local authorities building more social housing at greater pace.

By streamlining the approvals process further, the pre-construction programme can be shortened thus accelerating the delivery of much needed social housing construction projects.

Having listened to local authorities across the country I know that they are anxious to get on with building social housing. For our part, the Government has put the funding and framework in place to support that accelerated delivery by local authorities. Importantly, this will mean that those most in need of social housing will be able to get it quicker.

The Department will work with local authorities in relation to the new process and detailed guidance will be provided to ensure the accelerated delivery of quality homes consistent with the principles of value for money and cost certainty,

he concluded.