771 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons on housing waiting lists in each local authority on a county basis; the length of time they have been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1001/11]

My Department does not hold information on the number of households on a local authority's waiting list. This figure continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities. The last assessment took place in 2008 and indicated that there were 56,249 households in need of social housing support. This assessment also provides information on the waiting period for households seeking social housing support. Detailed information on this assessment, including a breakdown by housing authority, is available on my Department's website — www.environ.ie.

In September 2010, my Department issued a circular letter to housing authorities advising them of the intention to undertake an assessment of need as of 31 March 2011.