Local authorities in turnkey purchases of social housing units

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For Written Answer on : 28/05/2019
Question Number(s): 495 Question Reference(s): 22621/19
Department: Housing, Planning and Local Government
Asked by: Darragh O'Brien T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government if he has set an administrative fee for local authorities in turnkey purchases of social housing units; if data on the level of fee charged by each local authority in this regard is collated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY

My Department is currently examining the management and procurement arrangements relating to turnkey delivery for social housing and will issue a Circular on this to local authorities shortly.  Turnkeys frequently involve activating housing developments which otherwise would not be built, or completing unfinished estates.  Accordingly, the upcoming Circular is likely to include support for local authorities in utilising this approach to deliver new social housing, operating on a consistent basis across all authorities, based on the scale of delivery achieved.