Over €1 billion has been set aside for social housing in a bid to make thousands of more homes available, Minister for Housing Noel Ahern announced today.
Mr Ahern said €942 million has been allocated for local authority housing in 2006, with an additional €45 million for Traveller accommodation and support.
He said the money would provide for work on over 7,600 existing housing units and for the construction or acquirement of 6,000 new houses this year.
Minister for Housing Noel Ahern
A system of grants would also provide for extensions to local authority housing to relieve overcrowding.
Mr Ahern said: "I have already urged local authorities to press ahead with implementation of their housing programmes this year in order to commence as many schemes as possible in the current year.
He said he anticipated that over 5,000 housing units should be completed by local authorities in 2006.
Funding of €46 million for remedial works will allow work to continue on houses in around 80 local authority estates.
The Minister said under the new programmes local authorities must specify annual targets for the provision of accommodation for Travellers.
PA