Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013
89. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a county breakdown of the number of properties identified by the National Asset Management Agency for social housing provision; the number accepted as suitable by local authorities; the number transferred from NAMA to local authorities or to housing associations to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12675/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra391. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of properties identified by the National Asset Managment Agency for social housing provision; the number accepted as suitable by local authorities; the number transferred from NAMA to the local authority or housing association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12865/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 391 together.
To date 3,949 properties have been identified by NAMA as being potentially suitable for social housing purposes. Demand has been confirmed by local authorities for 1,314 of these units, for 637 of which discussion/negotiation has begun. Housing authorities have been assessing the suitability of the units identified with regard to location, local demand, the nature and type of the accommodation and sustainable communities’ principles.
At the end of 2012, 179 properties had been delivered from the NAMA portfolio for social housing purposes. 57 properties were bought directly by local authorities with another 57 properties purchased directly by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) through the Capital Assistance Scheme. A further 65 properties were secured by AHBs through a variety of leasing arrangements. These properties were sourced in the following housing authority areas -
Cork County Council - 53
Drogheda Borough Council - 27
Dublin City Council - 27
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council - 34
Galway City Council - 30
Kildare County Council - 4
Westmeath County Council – 4.
My Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA continue to work together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards bringing suitable NAMA units into social use. It will continue to be my Department's objective in 2013 to maximise the delivery of social housing using all of the resources available.
