The housing budget for Kildare next year has been increased by €2million.

Kildare County Council passed a €143m budget for 2017 on Monday, 21 November.

Fianna Fail Councillor Rob Power welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This will include increased expenditure on rent allowance and housing assistance and vitally, an increase of €600,000 (to €2.6m) on homelessness services in the county – a budget that has risen threefold in recent years.

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"Over the last few years the Fianna Fail group on KCC has been highlighting the need for the council to tackle the supply issue in housing by building units itself. We are delighted that social housing construction will begin again in a meaningful way with the first units beginning in Kilcock, Newbridge and Rathangan and that the Part VIII process is to start in Kildare, Prosperous, Athy and Sallins.

"The Chief Executive Peter Carey welcomed the decision to pass the budget and commended members for setting aside €3.2m for spending on community projects and issues through Local Property Tax funding."

(CD/MH)