Local Authority Housing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2010

Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Questions (141)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

172 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he has received requests from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make representations to banks, financial institutions and the National Asset Management Agency and so on regarding the refusal of some banks to support approved schemes for the leasing of up to 1,500 unoccupied homes for local authority and housing associations; his views in relation to such requests; the action he has taken; the meetings attended and by whom; the outcome of same; the reason he has refused to answer a recent parliamentary question from this Deputy on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11550/10]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I can assure the Deputy that this matter is a priority of the Minister for Housing who has primary responsibility for this issue. The Minister for Housing has been in correspondence with me on this matter. Officials from both of our Departments have met with all relevant stakeholders on more than one occasion and have also held bilateral discussions on the issue. My Department will continue to encourage the covered institutions to engage with Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on social housing issues as appropriate as this is one of a range of issues being progressed with the institutions involved.