Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

Discussion with Housing Finance Agency

2:15 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session and will discuss the functions and responsibilities of the Housing Finance Agency plc, HFA. I welcome here today Dr. Michelle Norris, chairperson, Mr. Philip Nugent, director, Mr. Barry O'Leary, chief executive officer, and Mr. Tom Conroy, company secretary of the Housing Finance Agency, and thank them for their attendance this afternoon.

In commencing proceedings I wish to draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if witnesses are directed by this committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise that the opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We have invited the HFA to brief us on its activities and how it spends its money. The company's annual report of 2011 states that its principal objectives are to advance funds to local authorities and the voluntary housing sector to be used by them for any purpose authorised by the Housing Acts and to borrow or raise funds for these purposes. I would contend that "for any purpose authorised by the Housing Acts" is a very broad remit and am interested in what role, if any, the agency has in refining this remit, particularly given that there is further housing legislation coming down the line. I am referring in particular to the forthcoming Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, which will apply further governance requirements to the voluntary housing sector. I would also ask that during today's deliberations witnesses do not get too bogged down in the minutiae of facts, figures and sums with regard to the agency but deal in more general terms with headline expenditure and so forth.

The number one question concerns how much finance is available at present to the agency and where it sees that being spent in the short to medium term. How will the HFA ensure the State is getting good value for the investment and support it gives to the agency? Finally, I would be interested in a brief description of one or two successful projects the agency is engaged with at present. I am sure members will have many questions regarding both the national and local approaches of the HFA. I now call on Dr. Norris to make her opening statement.

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