Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

10.1 Housing
10. Efficiencies in Programme Areas
10.1.1 This chapter outlines a series of efficiencies identified by the Group in
specific local government programme areas. Starting with housing in this
subsection, each sub-section commences with a brief overview of the
activities of local authorities in the service area concerned, identifying which
of the local authorities are involved, the budgeted expenditure for the area in
2010, and the staffing resources for the service. Where applicable,
reference is made to proposals elsewhere in the report that may have
particular relevance to the service concerned.
10.1.2 All 114 local authorities are designated as ‘housing authorities’ for the
purpose of housing services. However, it should be noted that while the 34
county and city councils have responsibility for all housing functions the role
of the 80 town councils is restricted in a number of aspects of housing
provision, for example town councils are not empowered to grant shared
ownership leases. The role of the 26 non-rating town councils is particularly
limited.
10.1.3 The responsibilities of local authorities in this area include:
• Carrying out assessments of need for applicants for social housing;
• Provision of social housing through various means, such as
construction of dwellings, purchasing and long-term leasing from the
private sector;
• Housing allocations;
• Housing stock maintenance, repairs, as well as larger-scale
refurbishment projects;
• Estate management and dealing with anti-social behaviour;
• Processing applications under a variety of schemes to promote home
ownership, such as the tenant purchase and shared ownership
schemes;
• Processing applications under a variety of schemes to improve public
and private dwellings, such as adaptations needed for the elderly or
those with a disability;
• Enforcement and inspection of standards in privately rented
accommodation;
• Liaising with and supporting voluntary housing bodies in the provision
of social housing;
• Homeless accommodation and accommodation related services; and
• Traveller accommodation.
10.1.4 The total local authority budgeted current expenditure for housing services
in 2010 comes to €778.7 million. According to figures collected from local
authorities by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
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