Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
368. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the information on the governance, management, structures and occupancy of approved housing bodies that will be published by the approved housing bodies regulatory authority; the format for same; the regularity with which they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42623/21]
View answer369. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the approved housing bodies regulatory authority will issue reporting guidelines and standards to approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42624/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
As provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. The Act is being commenced on a phased basis to allow for the establishment of the office. Key provisions, including those relating to the drafting of standards, have commenced. Remaining provisions of the Act will be commenced by 1 January 2022 to enable the AHBRA to become operational.
The standards will cover matters relating to corporate governance; financial management and reporting; property and asset management; and tenancy management. The Regulator will monitor compliance by AHBs with the approved standards and will have the power to carry out a standards assessment to assess if an AHB is complying or failing to comply with the standards.
The Regulator has commenced the process of drafting standards and has been engaging with a range of key stakeholders as part of this process. More information on the drafting of regulatory standards is available on www.ahbregulator.ie/. Following the publication of the approved standards it is envisaged the Regulator will prepare guidance to assist AHBs in the application of these standards
Among the Regulator's other functions will be to publish such information (including statistical information) concerning AHBs as the Regulator considers appropriate. It will be a matter for the Regulator to determine the format for same and the regularity with which they will be published.
