Industrial Dispute in Department of Environment Affecting Social Housing Programme

The Irish Council for Social Housing, the national social housing federation, has called for an end to the industrial dispute within the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government which is currently delaying the commencement of social housing projects for vulnerable groups in the Midwest and South East.

According to ICSH Executive Director, Donal McManus, “there are social housing projects which have been held up for the past four months because officials in the Department are refusing to send out letters”.

There are a number of social housing developments, which were sanctioned as far back as January, which have yet to receive notification of the availability of funding for their housing schemes because of the dispute. Staff from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have been refusing to write to Local Authorities to notify them of the sanctions and as a result many projects cannot proceed any further. This has in particular affected housing associations in the Mid-West and South East region.

Mr McManus went on to say, ‘many of these schemes are for vulnerable groups such as older people, people with disabilities, the homeless and low income families. Considering the needs of such groups and the ever increasing demand for social housing, a resolution to this dispute must be sought as soon as possible. With a a housing waiting list of over 56,000, it seems unbelievable that social housing schemes would be delayed in this manner’.

Housing Associations draw down funding to provide social housing under the Capital Assistance Scheme. This scheme is administered locally by the relevant Local Authority with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government sanctioning the funding allocations. In 2008 the total output of housing associations was 1896 units.

Ends

For further information contact Donal McManus on 01 6618334.

Media Notes:

• The Irish Council for Social Housing is the National Federation of social housing organisations with over 300 housing associations affiliated nationwide.
• Housing associations in Ireland in Ireland collectively manage housing with over 24,000 homes for families, older people, formerly homeless persons and people with disabilities in every local authority area and housing associations serve over 500 local communities.
• The Irish Council for Social Housing is a member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership.