Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our visitors. I am somewhat familiar with Habitat for Humanity and I thank the deputation for remembering the day the President came out to open what was a fine old building that had been allowed to go into disrepair. In fact, I am keen go back and visit it along with some of the residents to see how they are settling in. The building was almost palatial in many ways, given the height of the Georgian ceilings. They were fine rooms and it was a fine house. I hope it is working out well.

We learn something new every day. I did not know Habitat for Humanity was receiving Irish Aid assistance. I am pleased because the committee often deals with the Irish Aid budget. The organisation has targeted projects in Zambia, which is very interesting.

I wish to ask the deputation about tenure agreements. My understanding is that the people in Inchicore might have got loans and made some financial or physical contribution by working on the building. Will the deputation explain a little about the relationship between potential tenants and owner-occupiers? Are the tenure arrangements the same internationally? I am unsure what happens in Ethiopia. Do housing associations run these properties there? Does everyone benefit from private ownership?

The scale of housing is relevant. We are familiar with Africa and the number of poor unfortunates who are emigrating illegally but who end up dead on beaches in Spain, Greece and other places. There are huge movements of people across the continent heading this way.

I am aware of some of the indigenous uses of natural resources, such as the interweaving of banana leaves and bamboo sticks in Africa, which is interesting. The deputation is saying that the organisation can accommodate or adapt traditional building methods with building materials, using a more modern way to create greater security, sanitation and so on. I am keen to hear how good these programmes are. Habitat for Humanity is in 70 countries, which is fantastic. Are they all stand-alone? Is Habitat for Humanity a housing association, as we understand it, like Clúid or Oaklee? How does Habitat for Humanity differs from the other housing associations working in Ireland?