Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020
141. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a terms of reference for the cross-Departmental working group on cost rental; the membership of the group; and the expected date for delivery of its findings. [17692/20]
View answerThe Cost Rental Working Group was convened in 2019 in order to assess methods for the consistent and sustainable delivery of Cost Rental at scale. The Group is examining potential funding models, including the use of public land and appropriate Exchequer inputs, in order to establish a sustainable financing and implementation structure to deliver Cost Rental units at the necessary scale. Detailed operational and eligibility criteria for Cost Rental is also being considered.
The membership of the Group includes representatives from across my Department as well as the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency, the Residential Tenancies Board, the Land Development Agency, and local authorities.
A focused initial report is almost complete, and I expect that this will be available for my consideration within the coming weeks. However, the work of the Cost Rental Working Group will continue, with additional areas to be explored further.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) working on behalf of my Department also recently initiated research consultancy on this area. The EIB has extensive experience in supporting the delivery of affordable housing across Europe. The Report of the research project is scheduled for completion in December, and will feed into the work of the Cost Rental Working Group.
