Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
155. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will direct the National Asset Management Agency to publish its property portfolios in its entirety in order to make vacant properties visible and possibly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraNAMA has acquired loans from the five participating institutions and is not the owner/operator of properties. The Agency's role is that of a secured lender. Other than properties that have been enforced, all of which are listed on NAMA's website (http://www.nama.ie/about-our-work/properties-enforced/) and are managed by the appointed receivers/administrators, properties continue to be managed by their existing owners. Details of these properties are available on the NAMA website. The site is regularly updated and allows for searches by both property type and country/area. In each instance, information about the firm dealing with the insolvency and its contact details are provided. Potential purchasers are encouraged to contact the receivers to obtain additional information on specific properties and to submit expressions of their interest to purchase.
NAMA is subject to similar legal requirements as banks and other lenders precluding them from disclosing information relating to individual debtors and their assets. NAMA advises that extensive information on the geographical and sectoral breakdown of its portfolio will be set out in its Annual Report for 2013, which was published on May 27th.
The Deputy may be aware that NAMA engages proactively with Government departments, local authorities, State agencies and other statutory bodies in relation to their possible need for land/properties. In this way, NAMA has, for instance, identified through the Housing Agency over 4,600 residential properties, which are controlled by its debtors and receivers, as being available and potentially suitable for social housing provision. Local authorities have confirmed demand for just over 1,800 of these properties. Other examples of this engagement include NAMA's identification and sale of sites for new schools, the letting of office and other commercial space to the Office of Public Works, and the sale and letting of properties to the HSE for health care facilities/primary care units. This engagement is working very well and, in particular, NAMA is making a very substantial contribution in terms of the supply of residential property to meet demand for social housing.
