2007 waiting lists targeted by €1.49bn housing spend

THE Department of the Environment will spend almost €1.5 billion on housing next year, much of it aimed at alleviating waiting lists.

Environment Minister Dick Roche, currently attending a climate change conference in Nairobi, announced his department had been allocated €2.87bn in funding for 2007 — an increase of 6% on this year.

Capital spending on infrastructure and long-term projects will account for €2.011bn of this. Some €858 million will be spent on the day-to-day running of the department and service provision.