Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

That sounded like a programme for Government negotiation-type question. Deputy Ó Broin may get an opportunity to make a further input on that.

I will raise a point with the officials. This is a second Bill and part of the first Bill the Department brought to us. I will raise the matter of the community-led housing groups we allowed for in the Affordable Housing Act. During our discussion of the planning Bill, I tabled an amendment under Part 7, which relates to housing strategies. It provided that community-led housing groups and three other types of groups - land trusts and something along those lines - would be entities that would be engaged with when a housing strategy is being put together. I was told that if these organisations registered with the Approved Housing Bodies Registration Authority, they would fall within the criteria. I do not know when we are going to see that part of the Bill. It is not going to be done in this part.

In the event that I am not here to advocate for those organisations over the next couple of months, I would like the officials to take on board the need to include those community-led housing groups. While this would not produce thousands of houses, it would produce some. There are a couple of groups out there that are stuck in limbo. For local authorities to be required to engage with such organisations established in their area as regards housing strategies, needs, demand, etc., the organisation would have to be registered with AHBRA. That is my understanding. At the moment, I do not believe they can engage. I ask the officials to consider that before the other part of the Bill comes forward, which is unlikely to happen in the term of this Government but who knows? I am sure Deputy Ó Broin will take up the mantle at that point.

I am going to wind up our discussion now if there are no final questions.