Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have a couple of questions for the witnesses from the Housing Finance Agency and, in particular, Dr. Norris. Dr. Norris mentioned in his opening remarks that when compared to the UK and European experience, of which I have some experience, housing finance to the approved housing bodies, AHBs, from commercial lenders is very low. I have detected in recent times that some of the approved housing bodies are to some degree accessing finance from commercial lenders, which is positive. I would expect this to become a growing feature into the future, particularly when the new structures have been put in place as this will provide some certainty to commercial lenders.

There is currently approximately €500 million available to the Housing Finance Agency to lend to approved housing bodies, take up of which, according to the figures provided today, is very low. Dr. Norris outlined some of the obstacles in this regard. He also mentioned that there are capacity issues in this sector. I would welcome if when replying he would elaborate on whether this is related to skills, staff or governance issues in the approved housing bodies.

My next question is to the representatives of Clúid Housing Association and the Department. Do they anticipate that when the statutory framework for regulation is introduced there will be an amalgamation of the voluntary housing associations and approved housing bodies? I understand there are currently several hundred bodies-associations in the sector, some of which appear to me to be inactive in terms of their relationships with local authorities, the Department, accessing finance and housing related activities generally. Perhaps the witnesses will take this opportunity to speculate on what would be the optimum number of voluntary housing bodies that might usefully exist in this environment.