Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
692. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the registered voluntary housing associations; the amount spent on administration of these associations in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49973/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, housing authorities may provide assistance to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision and management of housing accommodation. As Minister, I am empowered to grant approved status to housing bodies for this purpose. AHBs are independent, not-for-profit organisations, which can also include housing co-operatives, which are housing organisations controlled by their members/tenants who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
Information in relation to specific administration costs of these organisations is not held in my Department. The day-to-day administration and financial management of AHBs is a matter for their individual Boards. I have no role in relation to such matters, nor does my Department collate data relating to the administration costs in AHBs.
To date, there are 547 bodies with approved status. The register of AHBs can be found on my Department's website at:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/voluntary-and-cooperative-housing/register-housing-bodies-approved-status.
The Housing (Regulation of Registered Housing Providers) Bill and the underlying policy, which was formulated in consultation with the sector, intends to establish a Regulator to oversee the effective governance, financial management and performance of voluntary and co-operative housing bodies. My Department is working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise the text of the Bill with the aim of publication during the current Oireachtas session. Until such time as the legislation is enacted and the statutory system of regulation is put in place, the interim regulatory arrangements in operation since 2014 will remain in operation.
