Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
1462 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the amount of funding allocated to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority for housing, including social and affordable housing for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32360/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra1477 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give details of all capital allocations made to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority by his Department in each of the years 2007 to 2009; the output and outcomes for this expenditure; if he will give specific details relating to any property or land exchanges during this period and if he will indicate the source and amount of finance required to pay interest on the loan transaction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32771/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1462 and 1477 together.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority has not generally been in receipt of capital allocations to fund its activities. In general, the Authority has funded its operations and social regeneration agenda through its property development functions.
However, some €5.4m was allocated the Authority, in the form of site subsidies for affordable housing, during the period 2007-2010, with annual payments set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Funding |
|
2007 |
€4.15m |
|
2008 |
€1.05m |
|
2009 |
€0.25m |
|
2010 |
Nil |
In addition, funding of some €14.2 million has also been provided to the Dublin Docklands Housing Trust for the acquisition of social housing units during the years 2008 and 2009, of which €1.7million was paid to the Revenue Commissioners by the Authority in respect of VAT on the sales price of the units.
In terms of property or land exchanges completed by the Authority in the years 2007 to 2009, a total of €20.3 million was spent in acquiring three different sites / properties and €15 million expenditure was incurred by the Authority in the purchase of 62 affordable units.
In relation to the information sought as to the source and amount of finance required to pay interest on the Becbay loan transaction, it should be borne in mind that, as a commercial State body, it is in the first instance the responsibility of the Authority to manage its financial affairs within its statutory parameters. I understand that the Authority maintains regular contact with all of its lenders in respect of its ongoing commitments and is also engaging with the National Asset Management Agency regarding the repayment of its share of the loans to the Becbay joint venture. The Authority paid interest charges totalling €9.2m in respect of the Becbay loans for the years 2007 and 2008, partly from its own funds and partly from its line of credit through National Irish Bank. The Authority's annual interest charges of €4.4 million for 2009 and 2010 remain outstanding.
1463 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the number of staff employed by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; the duties carried out by the staff; if there are any building works or planning applications currently in progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32361/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of addressing its financial circumstances and progressing towards a break-even operating position, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has put in place a radically reduced organisational structure. In this regard, staff numbers in the Authority have been reduced from 64 in January 2009 to 27 at present, and will further reduce to 24 by the end of 2010. The role of the Authority's staff is to provide support to all of the Authority's programmes including area regeneration, social regeneration, and marketing and support services.
Activity in relation to planning applications and building works currently in progress in the Docklands area is a matter for the Authority.
