Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
367. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department is not putting pressure on an association (details supplied) to put tenants in a housing development at a location in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25526/21]
View answerThe oversight of social housing provision in any area is the responsibility of the relevant local authority which has statutory responsibility for these matters. This responsibility includes housing provided in the operational area of a local authority by an Approved Housing Body (AHB), as the local authority will hold the mortgage for such AHB housing. Local authorities have continuous contacts with the AHBs operating in their areas and the tenanting of social homes would be a key focus of those contacts.
I understand from Donegal County Council that the housing project referred to by the Deputy, was developed by Cluid Housing Association and there are 53 social homes involved, 37 houses and a 16 unit apartment block. I further understand that some of the apartments were leased to the HSE who more recently, have not renewed the lease on a number of the units in the apartment block.
Where an AHB has constructed housing, the responsibility for management and maintenance of the housing is a matter for them in conjunction with the local authority. I understand that in this case, the AHB has indicated to Donegal County Council that they need to remediate some of the housing units and my Department is very keen to see a proposal from the AHB and the Council in this regard, so the housing units can be returned to use.
