The Government has set aside over €1 billion to build social housing, it was confirmed today.
Minister for Housing and Social Renewal Noel Ahern said €942 million had been set aside to provide local authority housing with €45 million to be spent on Traveller accommodation and support.
Funding of €46 million for remedial works will allow building to continue on houses in around 80 local authority estates.
The money allocated to local authority housing for 2006 would provide for work on over 7,600 housing units and for authorities to construct or acquire 6,000 houses this year.
The grants will also provide for extensions to local authority housing to relieve overcrowding.
Mr Ahern said: "The funding of €45 million in this year's allocation will allow local authorities to continue to provide much needed accommodation for the Traveller community under their new Traveller Accommodation Programmes for the period 2005 to 2008."
He said under the new programmes local authorities must specify annual targets for the provision of accommodation for Travellers.