Since the decision by the Central Statistics Office to reclassify 15 Approved Housing Bodies as part of the local government sector, i.e. within general government, my officials have engaged with these bodies in order to obtain the required inputs to compile the fiscal forecasts for the period 2018 - 2021. These figures are reflected in the Stability Programme Update 2018.
Following the publication of the Stability Programme Update 2018, senior officials from my Department met with members of the Housing Alliance to discuss the fiscal implications of the reclassification.
In response to your question neither I nor my Department have engaged consultants, other outside bodies or persons to conduct research, provide advice or assistance on the issue of the recent Eurostat designation of AHBs.