Ms Kathleen McKillion:

What Mr. Ryan outlined is also the feedback we have received from our smaller members throughout the country. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government acknowledges that CAS works by providing the association with a percentage of the market rent paid to the landlord who receives a deduction because the housing association is managing the property, or there is a loan through the Housing Finance Agency or the local bank. The percentage is based on the market rent, so where market rent is low outside Dublin it does not stack up financially. There is an absolute deficit in housing supply throughout the country and it is acknowledged it will work in urban towns. This is why CAS is critical with regard to acquisition and new build.