Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
247. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the provisions being made by the National Assets Management Agency in relation to a social dividend from its portfolio of land; the way a community organisation should approach NAMA in relation to the delivery of social dividend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52910/12]
View answerConsistent with its overriding commercial mandate as set out in Section 10 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, NAMA has demonstrated its commitment and contribution to the achievement of wider social and economic policy objectives in line with Section 2 of the Act. This includes NAMA’s identification of over 3,800 residential units controlled by its debtors and receivers as being available and potentially suitable for social housing and its policy of giving first option to public bodies on the purchase of property in which may be suitable for their purposes. The Agency also works to facilitate engagement between interested parties, including community and sporting organisations, and its debtors/receivers/sales agents and this has led to a number of positive outcomes for both parties.
I am advised by NAMA that in the first instance community groups themselves are best positioned to identify specific properties related to a NAMA loan that may be suitable for their purposes. Such groups are therefore encouraged to make contact with the owners of property and to inform NAMA of their interest. It should be noted that, while NAMA is prohibited by its legislation and by the normal rules of banking confidentiality from disclosing the identity of debtors or details of their properties, the Agency ensures that debtors are aware of interest in their properties and encourages them to engage with potential purchasers. NAMA has published an information guide, which is available on its website, www.nama.ie and which has been circulated to all Oireachtas members, for community organisations and others who may have an interest in properties controlled by NAMA debtors and receivers.
