Housing Management Companies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Questions (164)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of housing associations nationwide that have benefitted from the capital allowance housing scheme; the number of such bodies that have malfunctioned or have failed to meet their statutory obligations or the company legislation; the procedure to restore such housing schemes to local authority management in the short and medium term; the nature of legislation required, if any, to effect such transfer in view of the fact that the entirety of the cost was borne by the Exchequer in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34108/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

A total of 704 housing associations were granted approved status by my Department under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act,1992 for the provision and management of housing. Of these, some 444 have been approved for funding for the construction and/or acquisition of properties under the Capital Funding Schemes.

My Department’s role in relation to the voluntary housing capital funding schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds to support the annual housing construction and acquisitions programmes progressed by the sector. The funding schemes are administered by the local authorities and it is a matter for the relevant housing authority to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the schemes, and to have appropriate oversight and liaison arrangements in place for their effective administration and for ensuring that the substantial investment in voluntary housing is safeguarded. Matters relating to compliance by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB’s) with company law fall within the remit of the Companies Registration Office.

I will very shortly publish the Voluntary Regulation Code which has been developed by my Department to provide a framework within which statutory regulation of the AHB sector will be pursued. This will provide support and assurance both to the sector itself and to its external partners as it takes on the expanded role envisaged in my Department’s housing policy statement. The Code will assist housing bodies to improve their governance, management and financial capabilities and will facilitate better oversight of the AHB sector.

AHB’s are the de facto owners of the properties provided under the funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing. Subject to the approval of the local authority and contingent on having a Mortgage Deed in place, the assets and housing stock of an AHB can be transferred to another AHB. The need to make specific provision for the transfer of assets between AHB’s or from an AHB to a local authority will be considered in the context of the development of the statutory framework.