Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has welcomed the announcement in Budget 2014 of significant investment measures that will increase the supply of homes for families who need help them.

Deputy Byrne also welcomed specific funding for regeneration projects at St Teresa's Gardens and Dolphin House.

She said: "The Government has demonstrated its commitment to tackling the social housing problem, by allocating 70% of the Department of the Environment's budget to support housing in 2014. This means that more than half a billion euro will be invested in a number of schemes.

"In particular, I am pleased that there is a focus on social housing, with thousands of new units due to be made available in the next year. At least 185 new units will be provided, up to 2,500 transfers will take place under the Rental Accommodation Scheme and a further 4,400 leased housing units will be secured next year.

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"A retrofitting programme will be carried out on more than 14,000 social houses, which will result in warmer homes and lower energy bills for residents. This will be very welcome at a time when money is still tight and utilities bills are on the rise. On top of this, grants will be made available to 5,700 older people to allow them to adapt their homes so they can stay living in their community for longer.

"News that €79 million is to be spent on the national regeneration programme will come as particularly good news in my own constituency of Dublin South Central. This will allow for refurbishment, demolition and construction projects to proceed at Dolphin House and St Teresa's Gardens. This will provide some certainty for the residents who have been left disappointed in the past, when PPP projects fell apart.

"Thankfully, the Budget also contains a commitment to maintain the homeless budget at €45 million. Details on a new project which will see 130 homeless families moved from temporary to long term sustainable accommodation will be announced shortly."

(CD/JP)