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NAMA Social Housing Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (51, 63, 1115)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

51. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department have engaged in discussions or negotiations with the National Asset Management Agency to act on its requirement to provide a social dividend by releasing properties for social housing to the ownership of local authorities. [39067/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

63. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the delivery of the promised 2,000 units from the National Asset Management Agency portfolio; and the details of the method through which they will be paid. [39066/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

1115. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions he has held with the National Asset Management Agency regarding social housing lists in relation to procuring suitable housing stock to tackle social housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 63 and 1115 together.

Over the past 12 months both Minister Hogan and I have met with NAMA to discuss the provision of properties for social housing. Since the announcement in December 2011 that NAMA would commit to providing units for social housing by the end of 2012, a Steering Group comprising my Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA have been working together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) towards achieving this objective. Progress to date in delivering units for social housing purposes has been slow. In the main this is due to the complexities of getting agreement from multiple parties operating within an environment subject to a range of legal and financial constraints. I hope that the recent establishment by NAMA of a Special Purpose Vehicle, to facilitate the leasing of units, will ensure speedier delivery on the commitment.

Notwithstanding the difficulties encountered, NAMA have identified over 3,700 units to be considered for social housing. Of those that have been examined to date, 438 have been deemed unsuitable by housing authorities. A further 542 have been withdrawn, usually by property owners as circumstances change e.g. units have been sold or let privately and are no longer available. Another 1,246 units are for examination by housing authorities as to their suitability for social housing purposes.

At present demand has been confirmed for over 1,500 units which are currently being processed. Of the 1,500 units, 391 are currently under negotiation with relevant parties (i.e. AHB’s, housing authorities, NAMA, receivers, property owners etc.). A further 167 are under active consideration for acquisition by the Special Purpose Vehicle.

To the end of August 2012, 118 housing units have been provided from the portfolio of units identified by NAMA. 94 of these units are for social housing purposes. Of these units 34 are funded under leasing arrangements with the balance of units delivered funded through the local authority social housing capital investment programme or by AHB’s under the Capital Assistance Scheme.

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