I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 to 638, inclusive, together.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, noted that the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to develop a "cost rental" option, taking account of work already completed in this area, including by NESC and others.
In line with this commitment, Action 12 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector provides that my Department will lead an expert group to develop a cost rental model for the Irish rental sector, addressing issues such as funding mechanisms, the need to grow the necessary institutional capacity, particularly within the AHB and not for profit sector (whether through mergers, new entrants or strategic partnerships), rent levels, the households to be targeted and the appropriate regulation mechanisms. The expert group will assess the benefits that a larger and more developed not-for-profit segment would bring to the rental sector and the housing system, and examine the feasibility and effectiveness of different approaches to achieve the desired change.
The expert group will consider various proposals, including the proposal to establish a semi-State company to progress the cost rental model, in the course of its work.
It is my intention to establish this Expert Group in the coming weeks and the development of a proposal regarding its membership and terms of reference is currently being prepared in my Department.
In relation to the Deputy’s question on whether there is a target date for the Expert Group, the Strategy sets out ambitious target dates for delivery and the target date for delivery of a preliminary report from the Expert Group is Q4 2017.