A document which sets out over 30 actions taken across the housing spectrum in Ireland has been published.

'Laying the Foundations: Housing Actions Report' was published today, 15 April, by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly.

The achievements in the report include:

• The publication and implementation of the €4 billion Social Housing Strategy.

• The kick-starting of a local authority direct-build social housing programme.

• The refurbishment and return to use of 5,000 vacant local authority social housing stock between 2014 and 2015.

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• Adding 420 Housing staff posts to local authorities for direct build

• Reforming Part V of the Planning and Development Act, compelling developers to deliver social housing.

• Continued roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), which is now operational in 19 local authority areas.

• Building the capacity of and supporting approved housing bodies to deliver social housing

• The establishment of an affordable rental pilot scheme, which will be rolled-out in 2016.

• The establishment of the Dublin Housing Supply and Co-ordination Task Force

• The introduction of a Vacant Site Levy, which takes effect in 2019, to tackle the hoarding of land which is suitable for housing

• A complete rebate of development contributions in Dublin and Cork (city and environs) since January 2016 where new housing is brought on stream at affordable prices.

(CD/MH)