Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
356. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing agencies that are registered in Ireland; if all of these housing agencies are not-for-profit; and the number of employees within this sector. [37636/21]
View answerI assume that the Question is referring to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, housing authorities may provide assistance to bodies approved for the provision and management of housing accommodation.
There are currently 470 bodies with approved status. The register of AHBs can be found on the following website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1172c-register-of-housing-bodies-with-approved-status-under-section-6-of-the-housing-miscellaneous-provisions-act-1992/.
To be granted approved status an organsiation must be not-for-profit. AHBs also include organisations with predominantly care and support functions where housing may not their primary function. Information in relation to the number of staff employed by AHBs is not held by my Department.
The 2020 Annual Report and Sectoral Analysis, prepared by the Housing Agency Regulation Office provides further information on the 285 AHBs, which at that time had signed up to the Voluntary Regulatory Code; this report is available at www.housingagency.ie/regulation/publications.
The Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was established on 1 February 2021 to oversee the effective governance, financial management and performance of all approved and co-operative housing bodies. In due course, the AHBRA will have responsibility for establishing and maintaining a register and for registering AHBs. More information is availalbe at www.ahbregulator.ie/.
