KENNY WELCOMES SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

Posted on July 19, 2012 2:26 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Sean Kenny, the Labour TD for Dublin North East today welcomed the announcement by Housing and Planning Minister Jan O'Sullivan that over €8 million will be invested in Dublin City and Fingal over the next two and a half years to provide new social housing units, particularly for people with special housing needs.

"Labour has pledged to protect the most vulnerable in our community and this funding announcement is testament to our commitment to achieve that goal in the housing area. The substantial funds involved will provide long-term, stable homes for elderly, homeless and people with special needs."

"Everyone knows that Government finances are very restricted, but Labour in Government is determined that the much reduced capital budget available is targeted at those most in need as outlined in the Government's Housing Policy Statement, published in June 2011. Against the backdrop of a very challenging fiscal climate, I am particularly pleased that funding has been made available to provide quality accommodation that is safe, secure and appropriate to their requirements," stated Minister O'Sullivan.

"Local voluntary groups will be involved in acquiring and building many of the units and I would like to pay tribute to their work in this area. The provision of units for people with a special housing need is an issue I have worked hard on and have raised with Minister O'Sullivan during recent months."

"Today's funding announcement will provide local families and individuals with certainty and security into the future. There is still much work to be done to ensure that these units come online, but I know there is a real will to get cracking on these projects now.

"This housing initiative will also see investment in construction, especially from 2013 on. This will provide a much needed boost to the local economy."