Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
392 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he queried the decision made by an organisation (details supplied), which receives its funds from his Department, to spend €2 million on an office block in 2004 while continuing to rent its prior premises up to 2007 at a cost of €3666.81 per month despite that premises being left vacant. [14116/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCo), the national representative body for approved co-operative housing bodies in Ireland, provides accommodation for low-income families and persons with specific categories of housing need. Under my Department's capital funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing, funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available in respect of the planning, construction and land costs associated with such projects. My Department also provides funding towards the administrative costs of certain housing bodies, including NABCo, which provide research, advice, education and advocacy services in the area of housing.
In 2011, NABCo received some €16.4 million in respect of approved housing construction projects and a contribution of €123,547 towards administrative costs. My Department does not provide capital funding in respect of the office accommodation acquired by approved housing bodies and had no involvement in the issues referred to in relation to the NABCo offices.
