Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
407. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the use of the National Asset Management Agency stock of housing to alleviate the problem of homelessness and on the introduction of social housing. [54452/12]
View answer408. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration has been given to introducing measures to facilitate the transfer of National Asset Management Agency owned or administered housing stock to local authorities in lieu of the non-payment of the developer contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54453/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.
Since December 2011 NAMA have identified over 3,800 properties as being potentially available for social housing. The Local Authorities and the Housing Agency are working systematically with NAMA to determine if there is a social housing demand for properties identified as potentially suitable for social housing, including the need for accommodation for those who are homeless. Where a demand is identified this information is provided to NAMA and efforts are made to secure as many of the suitable properties as possible for social housing.
To the end of August 2012, 133 housing units have been provided from the portfolio of units identified by NAMA. Of these units 49 are funded under leasing arrangements with the balance of units delivered purchased with funds from the local authority social housing capital investment programme or by Approved Housing Bodies under the Capital Assistance Scheme. It is a matter for each individual housing authority to allocate available accommodation, whether leased properties or from other sources, to households on their waiting lists, including homeless households, in accordance with their adopted allocation scheme. The charging and collection of development levies is a matter for the local planning authority. The discharge of the development contribution liability in respect of any development is a matter for agreement between the relevant parties.
