The Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal has released details of the number of social and affordable houses delivered in the first 9 months of 2006. 1,912 homes were provided under the various affordable housing schemes in the first 9 months of 2006, which includes almost 1,000 affordable units provided under Part V (Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2006).

"We are now seeing the fruits from the Part V legislation, with a 63% increase in the numbers of Part V units delivered in the first 9 months of this year compared to the same period last year, showing a clear upward trajectory. I am confident that the Part V mechanism is working well and will provide a considerable share of affordable houses into the future", Minister Ahern said.

In addition over 3,900 social houses have been delivered in the first 9 months to September 2006. This is a 2.5% increase over the same period last year, with 10,870 units currently in progress.