Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 8

Written Answers. - Voluntary Housing Schemes.

Noel Ahern

Question:

90 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the number of individual projects which have contributed to the approximate 8,500 tenants living in the nonprofit, voluntary and co-operative housing sector which has made such a positive contribution to social housing in recent years; the data, if any, available in relation to the number of voluntary groups which subsequently disbanded after construction; if these houses revert to the local authority after construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20123/96]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

Since 1984, 5,736 units have been provided by approved voluntary housing bodies under the capital assistance and rental subsidy schemes. While the overall number of voluntary housing projects involved is not readily available, 253 such projects were completed in the period 1 January 1992 to 30 June 1996, encompassing 3,564 units. Prior to 1984, voluntary housing projects may have qualified for relatively small grants; however, information is not readily available on the number of such projects.

Administration of the capital assistance and rental subsidy schemes is the responsibility of local authorities and I have no information on the number of groups who may have disbanded. Under these schemes, loans are advanced by the local authority to the approved body undertaking the project and ownership of the housing remains with the body. It is open to the local authority, without recourse to my Department, to exercise the normal powers of a mortgagee in the event of a breach of any of the conditions of the loan and to make appropriate arrangements.