I refer the Deputy to my previous response on this topic (Parliamentary Question, 16009/12, 22nd March 2012). I am advised by NAMA that, as in the Republic of Ireland, a particular difficulty associated with the Northern Ireland residential market has been the lack of independent professional research and data about the key factors that will influence the future availability and cost of housing. For this reason, NAMA considered a number of research proposals by reference to the need for practical market insights to facilitate informed decision-making by all market participants, including NAMA, in the Northern Ireland residential market. Based on the proposals received, NAMA agreed to help fund research by the University of Ulster into the geography of future residential supply and demand in Northern Ireland with a particular focus on residential land bank assets. In December 2012, the University published its Spatial Analysis of Residential Development Land Banks, which overlays residential land bank assets in Northern Ireland with planning, infrastructure, demographic and housing need data to produce a comprehensive picture of likely future housing supply and demand patterns.
The Deputy may be aware also that NAMA has recently agreed to take a leading role in promoting and funding a two-year research programme on housing in the Republic of Ireland to be undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRI). The Agency advises that proposals for research such as this are considered by, amongst other criteria, reference to the practical application of expected outcomes. I am advised by NAMA that the agency does not operate a fund for such undertakings but procures research as and when required, in line with its commercial remit.
