Ivan Yates
Ceist:334 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals he has to support better local authority estate management practices. [25018/00]
Vol. 525 No. 3
334 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals he has to support better local authority estate management practices. [25018/00]
While the management and maintenance of their rented dwellings is the responsibility of local authorities, my Department plays an important role in providing support and guidance to the authorities in their efforts to better manage their estates. In recent years my Department introduced a number of initiatives in this regard, including: Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, local authorities are required to adopt statements of policy on housing management and this has provided a mechanism to require authorities to focus on housing management issues. All major authorities have adopted such policy statements which are revised from time to time as appropriate.
The housing management initiative grants scheme is designed to support innovative pilot projects in the area of local authority housing management by way of grant assistance from my Department. Since its inception in 1995, over 100 projects have been approved. Approximately 50% of the projects funded to date have involved staff and tenant training in estate management. Other projects included supporting research, production of tenant's handbooks and the employment of tenant liaison officers. It is proposed to undertake an evaluation of the scheme over the coming months.
A specialist housing unit was established in March 1998 as a joint pilot initiative between my Department and the county and city managers. The remit of the unit, which has a full-time director and administrative support, is to assist local authorities to develop a more strategic approach to housing management. It also has a role in promoting and disseminating good practice in all aspects of housing management, identifying training needs of housing practitioners and devising programmes and strategies to meet these needs. A consultative committee representative of my Department, local authorities, tenants, and the voluntary sector, provides policy advice and guidance and oversees the work of the unit.