Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

I have met many of the voluntary housing associations in recent months. Many of the associations are looking to buy housing units but they are having great difficulty raising money through financial institutions. Concerns have also been raised that interest rates, while low at present, if they rise could create problems in keeping rents at fair rates for their tenants. This is why there is talk of a fixed rate given we do not know what will happen in the future. Many of these associations are hanging on a limb with regard to their funding as matters stand. They could be driven to the wall if rates changed.

The Minister of State referred to the capital advance leasing facility, CALF. This does not seem to be given sufficient support in regard to the associations' endeavours to secure funding, or that is the sense which comes across from them. The best solution to the housing crisis is a State-led development of social housing units. In this vein, the Government has sought to relinquish responsibility to the voluntary sector. Increasingly, it seems the issue of social housing is being directed to the voluntary housing sector at the expense of social housing provision and those on waiting lists. That seems to be where the funding is going.

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