Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 5

Written Answers. - Estate Management Courses.

Declan Bree

Question:

147 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department has organised courses on estate management; if so, the number of such courses which have taken place; the number of council officials and representatives of residents associations who have participated; if it is the policy of his Department to encourage representatives of residents associations to participate in such courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9530/97]

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

The general responsibility of local authorities for the management of their housing estates includes responsibility for the implementation of improved estate management arrangements, including decisions on the type and level of tenant involvement and on training courses for tenants and local authority staff. To assist local authorities to improve estate management and to secure greater tenant involvement, the following initiatives have been taken by me and my Department, some of which involve courses for tenants and local authority staff.

I introduced a new housing management initiatives grant scheme in 1995 to encourage local authorities to develop pilot projects designed to improve housing management and the delivery of a better service to tenants. In 1995 and 1996, this scheme grant-aided 28 projects related to estate management. The scheme is being continued in 1997 with an increased allocation of £200,000 and local authorities have been invited to submit proposals for consideration for funding by 25 April.

I set up a housing management group last year and its first report contains best practice guidelines on housing management, including the key area of tenant involvement in estate management. Six regional workshops, with more than 100 key housing personnel attending, are now taking place to promote the best practice guidelines. The implementation of these guidelines by local authorities will help to improve estate management generally and facilitate tenant involvement in the process. In addition, I have invited each county and city manager to a seminar in the near future to ensure their support for the implementation of the best practice guidelines.

My Department supports initiatives being undertaken by Area Development Management Limited to develop appropriate training programmes for housing and partnership officials as well as other initiatives in the area of tenant training and empowerment and community development.

Networking arrangements between local authorities to promote best practice in housing management and tenant participation are being encouraged. Authorities have been requested to implement a programme of tenant development and information courses for prospective tenants, more particularly those for new local authority housing schemes.