New figures have revealed a 16% drop in the number of people waiting to access social housing across Ireland.

In June, a total of 71,858 households were assessed as being qualified for and in need of social housing support in the Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA)

The figure is down by almost 14,000, just over 16%, when compared with last years's SSHA, when 85,799 households were assessed as being qualified for and in need of a social housing support. Since September 2016, the total number has dropped by over 21%.

Welcoming the results, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said: "What we have here is evidence that the suite of social housing support initiatives put in place under Rebuilding Ireland is working. Approximately 100 social housing support solutions were delivered every working day in 2017 and the numbers we see today are evidence of the real and positive impact this delivery is having on the people who need our help the most."

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"Whilst this is positive news we must not, and will not, lose sight of the fact that there are still more than 70,000 households who are relying on us for the provision of housing support. The additional capital funding secured in Budget 2018 means that over the lifetime of Rebuilding Ireland more than €6 billion is committed for investment by this Government to support the delivery of 50,000 long-term social housing homes.

"In addition, 87,500 flexible housing solutions will be provided through the Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Schemes. This level  of  investment and commitment to delivery will ensure we are in a position to meet the ambitious, but clearly necessary, social housing targets over the next few years.

"Furthermore, commitments under Project Ireland 2040 will see a further increase in social housing homes until 2027."

(LM)