Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 2

Written Answers. - Voluntary Housing Organisations' Fundings.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

158 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the growing importance, and the substantial public funds being made available to voluntary bodies for housing, he will outline the steps he has taken to ensure that such bodies seeking approved status under the Housing Act, 1988 have (1) suitable constitutions and legal status, (2) suitable housing objectives and (3) a properly constituted management board to provide for adequate financial accountability in respect of the funds they receive; and if it is intended to provide a statement of the criteria for the recognition of non-profit housing organisations, including housing associations, as approved bodies in the forthcoming Housing Bill.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

159 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the steps he has taken to ensure that religious orders, church bodies or trusts which have been granted approved status under the Housing Act, 1988 have a properly constituted management board to take specific responsibility for the housing services provided with assistance from public funds; and if he will further outline the arrangements which are required from them in relation to separate financial accountability for any public funds they may receive for housing purposes.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

The criteria for the approval of bodies under section 5 of the Housing Act, 1988, have been designed to ensure that such bodies are properly constituted and that they are competent to sponsor housing projects and account for public moneys granted to them for that purpose. Under the existing voluntary housing scheme, funds are issued to approved bodies by the local authority only on certification that works to the appropriate value have been carried out. In view of the expanded role envisaged for the voluntary housing sector in "A Plan for Social Housing", published in February 1991, I am currently reviewing the criteria for the approval of such bodies and considering what additional provisions may need to be made in relation to the matter in the forthcoming Housing Bill.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

160 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment the names of the approved non-profit and voluntary housing organisations which received capital assistance under section 5 of the Housing Act, 1988 in 1990; the amounts of capital loan assistance approved and paid out in each case during 1990; if he will outline (1) the number of dwellings under the description new building or by way of conversion of existing buildings and (2) the main categories of persons housed in the approved projects; and if he will further outline the total number of dwellings for which funding assistance had been sanctioned up to 31 December 1990 since the commencement of the scheme introduced in 1984.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

161 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applications for capital assistance under section 5 of the Housing Act, 1988 received by his Department from local authorities for which funding sanction had not been granted up to 10 June 1991; the total value of the applications and the number of dwellings involved; and the total value of sanctions granted in the current financial year to date and the number of dwellings involved.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. Connolly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.