Written Answers Nos. 401-418
401. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding allocated to primary and post-primary education, for counties Longford and Westmeath, for each of the years 2008 to 2015 to date. [35654/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a significant number of expenditure components and sources of funding to primary and post primary education which make up the total national allocation. Therefore, any attempt at geographical disaggregation of the national data would be a complex and resource intensive process and is therefore not available to be provided to the Deputy.
The general position is that my Department provides funding for the school system based primarily on the number of pupils in each school.
One of the main grants is capitation funding which is provided to all recognised primary schools and second level schools within the free education scheme.
My Department provides capitation funding to mainstream primary schools by way of per capita grants, subject to a minimum grant equivalent to 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are payable to Special Schools and Special Classes attached to mainstream schools.
The funding arrangements made by my Department for second level schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. My Department provides funding to voluntary secondary schools by way of per capita grants. My Department provides funding to Community and Comprehensive schools on a budget basis that is based mainly on pupil numbers, but also take into account additional factors which vary from school to school such as age of buildings, size of school etc. With regard to the ETB sector financial allocations are made to ETBs as part of a block grant. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each is allowed to distribute its allocations in line with its priorities and perceptions of need.
402. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will grant an application for national lottery funding for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [35667/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2015 all expenditure incurred from the Education and Skills Vote – Vote 26 is funded directly by the Exchequer.
The Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which, is published annually, contains details on a Vote by Vote basis of those programmes that are part-funded by both the National Lottery and the Exchequer. (Reference page 224 of the 2015 REV). There are no programmes in my Department's Vote currently receiving National Lottery funding.
403. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the premises of three primary schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35668/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department remains committed to providing permanent accommodation for the first named school to which he refers. It is my Department's intention that the school in question will relocate to the premises currently occupied by the second named school pending the construction of a new school for the latter. The building project for this school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b). All statutory applications have been granted and the design team are in the process of completing stage 2(b) tender documentation. Once the stage 2(b) tender documentation is submitted by the school and reviewed by my Department and subject to no issues arising, the project will then progress to tender and construction stages. My Department has no record of receiving any application for capital works from the third school referred to in the Deputy's question.
404. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress towards forming the technological university in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35683/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin consortium consisting of the Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Institute of Technology Tallaght, submitted a plan towards merger to the Higher Education Authority in 2014. This was assessed by an international expert panel appointed by the HEA and found to be on a clear trajectory to meet the very robust performance and quality criteria that have been set down for merging institutes who wish to apply for the new technological university status. This concluded stage 3 of the 4-stage process towards designation as a technological universities for the Dublin consortium. The governing bodies involved reaffirmed their decision to merge and seek Technological University designation and have continued to work towards that goal. The Technological Universities Bill, which will provide for the merger of consortiums of institutes of technology, including the Dublin consortium, is at an advanced stage of drafting and I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill in the coming weeks. Once the Bill has been passed by the Oireachtas this would allow for a merger of the Dublin consortium to take place.
405. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a school in County Longford. [35720/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March, 2014 the school referred to by the Deputy was sanctioned a devolved grant under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. Recently the school authority submitted an application for additional funding and my Department's Planning and Building Unit has request further information in respect of this application. As soon as this information is received and considered the school authority will be informed of the outcome.
406. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a longstanding application for accommodation for a new school (details supplied) in County Longford will be approved, as the current accommodation is not adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35756/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert, Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Stage 2b submission has been reviewed by my Department and the Design Team have been requested to submit final confirmations that they are satisfied that the Tender Documents are complete, correct and in compliance with the requirements of the Departments Guidelines and the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) 2014. However, due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012. School building projects, including the project to which the Deputy refers, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages and will therefore be well placed for consideration for inclusion in future construction programmes.
407. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills given that the project to extend and refurbish Lucan Community College in County Dublin is included in the current five-year construction programme, and has a target opening date of September 2018, and given that Lucan is one of the fastest growing residential areas in the country, and is in urgent need of secondary school places, if she will ensure that there is no further impediment in authorising the progress of the project to stage 2A; if she will expedite the preparation and submission of the planning application preferably before, but no later than, spring 2016; if she will confirm that the target opening date of September 2018 will be met; if she will accommodate the attendance of a staff representative at future meetings between her Department and Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board regarding the progress of this project in order that the board of management and parents can become fully aware of all progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35758/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is included in the Five Year Construction Programme to proceed to Tender and Construction. The school building project is at an early stage of the Architectural Planning process. Earlier this year, the Department met with officials from the ETB regarding progression of the project. Following this meeting, further information was requested from the ETB and its Design Team. My Department has completed its review of this information and the project is now proceeding to complete Stage 2A of Architectural Planning, which is the Developed Design Stage. Upon successful completion of Stage 2A the project will progress to complete Stage 2B - Detailed Design, which involves obtaining planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificate and the completion of tender documents. Following completion of Stage 2B the project will be progressed to tender and construction stages. However, until such time as planning permission has been secured and the project has progressed to and completed tender stage and the appointment of a building contractor, it will not be possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction stage of the project. It is a matter for Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB to determine if a staff or school authority representative may attend meetings with officials in my Department in relation to this school building project.
408. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if the direct funding to this and other schools in the same position will be delivered. [35759/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe finances of recognised primary schools are a matter for the Boards of Management of these schools. Boards should budget in such a way as to enable them to meet their commitments and their expenditure should not exceed their income. The running costs of recognised primary schools are not budgeted for individually by the Department. It would not be feasible to grant aid approximately 3,300 schools in this way. The running costs of these schools are met by my Departments schemes of capitation and ancillary services grants. I do recognise however the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in Budget 2016.
409. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Meath receives a special needs assistant. [35763/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. Circular 0030/2014 sets out the policy of allocating SNA support for a newly enrolling Junior Infant who has clear and obvious need for such support e.g. a child who has a significant additional care need arising from an intellectual, sensory or physical disability. For those children where it is not yet clear whether difficulties will manifest in a classroom environment, the Circular states that, in general, it is expected that all primary school pupils having their first school experience will have been enrolled and will have commenced attending school before any application for SNA support will be made. Particularly in relation to possible anticipated behavioural difficulties, it is more appropriate to wait until the child begins school in order to see how they have been able to engage in the classroom. The Circular explains that provision of SNA support should not be considered as a first response for management of behaviour, and should only be provided where it is clear that behavioural management strategies have not been successful to date and where it is demonstrated how access to such support can assist with ongoing planning and intervention for the child. A range of guidelines have been provided for schools by my Department in relation to management measures for difficult behaviour which are available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is open to schools to contact their local SENO to discuss the SNA allocation process. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
410. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35796/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is extremely difficult to make precise comparisons between the levels of grants paid and the actual costs of running schools at primary and post primary levels. However it is self evident that the maintenance and running costs for second level schools are much greater on a unit cost basis than those in primary schools. In general, second level schools are larger than primary schools and have a lower pupil teacher ratio resulting in more classrooms and specialist rooms such as laboratories, workshops and kitchens. This leads to higher unit costs in second level schools for heat, light, power, maintenance and cleaning. I do recognise however the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in Budget 2016.
411. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35809/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. At primary level, it currently operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. I have already indicated that I am determined that education should be prioritised for investment as our economy recovers and I will be seeking to agree a set of priorities for such increased investment into the future. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am very aware that we need to invest more in our youngest children, and in supporting parents to make the choices that are right for them. Our schools need more staffing, better funding, and functioning middle-management structures and I am determined that we will build on what we achieved last year.
The challenge for all schools is to ensure that they utilise their allocated resources to best effect to maximise teaching and learning outcomes.
412. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide funding for a person (details supplied), who is deaf and who cannot participate in a certain course without the assistance of an interpreter; and the methods by which the person can obtain funding for an interpreter. [35811/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates significant resources to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic courses and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability. The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of my department and provides funding to students in approved colleges of further and higher education for the delivery of key services, reasonable accommodations and supports for learners with disabilities on full-time, approved courses in eligible further and higher education institutions. While the remit of the Fund does not extend to the college in which the student in question is participating, there is a wider national framework of policies and legislation under the Equal Status Act 2000-2011, which prohibits every educational establishment, be this public or private, from discriminating against any person seeking to access a courses or facilities on the grounds of disability.
413. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a preschool special needs assistant will be provided for a child (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [35813/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are allocated to Special Schools and to mainstream Primary and Post Primary schools to assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills. Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie, sets out my Department's policy in relation to the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. The Circular explains that SNA support is not provided to pre-school services which operate outside of the primary or special school provision other than in early intervention classes in recognised primary schools, or special schools, where support is provided for as part of the schools total quantum of SNA support. The vast majority of supports for childcare, including pre-school education, is provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education is the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which was introduced in January 2010 and provides for early learning in a formal setting to children in the year before they commence primary school. The Health Service Executive (HSE) currently provides for care support for pupils with special needs attending a range of HSE funded pre-schools. As such, questions relating to provision of such services should be addressed to the HSE, or to my colleague, the Minister for Health. Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that an inter-departmental Group, involving officials from my Department, NCSE, Department of Health and the HSE and led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, recently produced a Report 'Supporting Access to Free Preschool Year for Children with a Disability. This report is being considered by the Cabinet Subcommittee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform, in the context of the current budgetary process.
414. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the slurry spreading dates to reduce costs on farmers. [35350/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.
Good agricultural practice involves the land spreading of organic fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water courses and groundwaters. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or heavy rain is forecast.
I have no plans at present to extend the spreading periods for organic fertilisers.
415. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding enhanced redundancy for persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [35580/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role in the internal operations of any private organisations and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are for the Board of the company, as the employer, to manage. In relation to the details supplied, my Department has been engaged in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and with the Attorney General’s Office in relation to the legal issues arising. Consideration of the matter will be finalised in light of the outcome of these consultations.
416. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the sources where a voluntary organisation (details supplied) involved in voluntary mentoring and the evaluation of new companies, out of which almost 60 jobs have already been created, can access State funding to support its activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35601/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding was provided to the project concerned to under the Local Community Development Programme (LCDP), during 2013 and 2015. As the Deputy will be aware, the LCDP was implemented on a transitional basis until end of March 2015. The new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was subsequently rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015, following a competitive tendering process.
Westmeath Community Development Ltd was successful in its tender to deliver SICAP. The SICAP aim is to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. The programme is managed and overseen by the Westmeath Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
In the context of the project referred to, SICAP Goal 3 provides supports and resources to engage with target groups and individuals and residents of disadvantaged communities who are unemployed to move them closer to the labour market and improve work readiness, and support them in accessing employment, self-employment and social enterprise opportunities.
The primary focus of my Department is to ensure that front-line services, particularly those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities, are protected. I am confident that the new programme will continue to provide key supports to those most in need in our communities. Therefore, I would suggest that the project/group referred to by the Deputy contact the LCDC or Westmeath Community Development Ltd in relation to funding requests under SICAP.
417. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the allocated funding for housing in counties Longford and Westmeath for each of the years 2008 to 2015 to date. [35658/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Capital and Current expenditure, funding is provided to housing authorities in respect of a range of social housing initiatives. Details of expenditure under the se initiatives for Westmeath and Longford County Councils for the years referred to, up to the end of the third quarter of 2015, are as follows:
Westmeath County Council
|
- |
2008 € |
2009 € |
2010 € |
2011 € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
15,827,034 |
14,123,900 |
6,022,684 |
2,249,432 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
1,688,610 |
274,550 |
3,531,718 |
213,733 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
26,452 |
17,811 |
188,051 |
273,517 |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
120,000 |
313,095 |
132,151 |
152,809 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
122,121 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
Nil |
53,104 |
514,491 |
263,195 |
|
Central Heating |
19,784 |
810,574 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Compliance with New Rented Standards |
Nil |
Nil |
119,895 |
373,537 |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
1,166,409 |
1,544,791 |
1,609,193 |
1,057,843 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
880,070 |
1,477,868 |
1,772,940 |
2,061,900 |
Westmeath County Council
|
- |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
2015 € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
2,916,450 |
531,658 |
2,088,810 |
20,478 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
590,314 |
118,647 |
16,431 |
Nil |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
454,800 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
102,113 |
237,131 |
87,059 |
49,094 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
369,518 |
238,557 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
209,468 |
1,079,494 |
859,733 |
Nil |
|
Central Heating |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Compliance with New Rented Standards |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
752,022 |
561,798 |
794,766 |
187,987 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
1,793,833 |
1,905,250 |
1,996,489 |
1,710,339 |
Longford County Council
|
- |
2008 € |
2009 € |
2010 € |
2011 € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
16,495,900 |
12,852,409 |
3,820,875 |
758,309 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
2,361,772 |
800,690 |
4,054,104 |
802,912 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
154,462 |
Nil |
140,450 |
155,213 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
378,298 |
178,994 |
84,050 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
Nil |
Nil |
294,111 |
304,810 |
|
Central Heating |
750,000 |
579,600 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
811,005 |
930,069 |
1,108,804 |
929,556 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
993,580 |
1,506,487 |
1,726,280 |
1,759,035 |
Longford County Council
|
- |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
2015 € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
1,227,029 |
576,033 |
288,768 |
Nil |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
1,123,017 |
212,308 |
118,349 |
Nil |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
220,900 |
1,161,776 |
45,711 |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
113,001 |
73,827 |
135,429 |
Nil |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
313,250 |
Nil |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
206,884 |
1,147,820 |
370,286 |
91,473 |
|
Central Heating |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
756,742 |
705,488 |
547,570 |
201,729 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
1,441,226 |
1,157,357 |
887,897 |
599,029 |
Funding allocations to local authorities and approved housing bodies for new build and acquisition of social housing units in 2015 are based on the proposals they are implementing in line with the targets out to 2017 that I announced earlier this year. To date in 2015, some €493 million has been allocated to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies for the construction and acquisition of over 2,900 social housing units. Full details of these projects, including those relating to Longford and Westmeath County Councils, can be found on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm. and http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm.
The following link http://www.environ.ie/en/GeneralNews/MainBody,41581,en.htm contains information on the allocations to both local authorities for 2015 under a range of social housing programmes dealing with the returning of vacant social housing to productive use, energy efficiency insulation and adaptations and extensions to social housing.
Under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP - previously referred to as the leasing initiative), there are no individual local authority allocations. SHCEP payments comprise ongoing annual payments and capital advances (loans) to local authorities for approved housing bodies. Current payments commenced in 2009 while capital advances commenced in 2011. Details are set out in the table below:
Availability Payments
|
Year |
Longford Co Co |
Westmeath Co Co |
|
2009 |
Nil |
50,697 |
|
2010 |
9,768 |
170,799 |
|
2011 |
70,105 |
446,325 |
|
2012 |
116,234 |
781,022 |
|
2013 |
76,159 |
1,062,290 |
|
2014 |
72,135 |
1,323,564 |
|
2015 |
84,424 |
1,115,581 |
Capital Advance Leasing Facility Payments
|
Year |
Longford Co Co |
Westmeath Co Co |
|
2009 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2010 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2011 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2012 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Nil |
33,204.00 |
|
2014 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2015 |
Nil |
Nil |
418. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to recent proceedings of the Committee of Public Accounts, at which it was stated that 4,000 housing units which were offered in recent years to local authorities were subsequently refused by those authorities, if he will confirm the number of those houses in each of the four Dublin local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35230/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing proactive engagement between NAMA, the Housing Agency and my Department, a process has been established since late 2011 to ascertain whether residential properties made available by NAMA, through its borrowers and receivers, are suitable for social housing. Properties that are deemed suitable may be leased or purchased by local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) through engagement with the property owners or, on their behalf, appointed insolvency practitioners, facilitated by NAMA. To the end of September 2015, NAMA had identified 6,574 residential properties controlled by its debtors and receivers under this initiative as being potentially available for social housing. Of this figure, 2,526 properties have a confirmed demand and are available for social housing. In respect of the 4 Dublin local authorities in particular, since the engagement with NAMA began, 2,005 residential properties have been identified by NAMA as being potentially available for social housing, and of these demand has been confirmed by the local authorities concerned in respect of 763 of these properties.
The remaining 4,048 of the total of 6,574 units identified nationally are no longer available for social housing purposes for a variety of reasons. In respect of 2,469 of the properties identified by NAMA, local authorities considered them unsuitable for social housing because of sustainable planning and housing policy issues associated the units or they were located in areas with no social housing demand. A further 1,579 units originally identified as available for social housing were subsequently discovered by NAMA to be unavailable.
Of the 2,526 that are available and for which local authorities have confirmed demand, 1,600 have been delivered for social housing use at the end of Q3 2015. This figure includes 1,241 units that are complete and a further 359 units where contracts have been signed and final completion works are under way. A further 486 properties are considered as being active transactions whereby terms are agreed or active negotiation is on-going by all parties concerned or where a detailed appraisal is being carried out. An additional 440 properties are to be further appraised. Of the 1,600 units have been delivered through the NAMA process, 649 (41%) of these are situated within the 4 Dublin local authority areas.
The process of reviewing units previously deemed unsuitable by local authorities is on-going. Local Authorities, particularly those in high demand areas, are continually reviewing the list of available NAMA properties to see if they are suitable to be brought into use as social housing.
