Mr. Billy Coman:

I will start with the properties that NAMA offered us. In the case of South Dublin County Council, we were offered 591 units, of which 507 were in the one development.

It was a large development but there were issues with the construction. Subsequently, it cost in the order of €10 million to repair and bring back the units to lettable standard. We were in discussions for a long time with the developer in respect of the finish prior to NAMA taking over. The project came into receivership. Subsequently, we took 65 of those units. Effectively, they were in two blocks. Luckily, we did not take any before the failure or before the construction was found to be defective. Members will note from the documentation that 591 were offered, with 507 located in one development. We are in the process of completing 149 units. The major difference was the development in question.

Questions were asked, by former colleagues - if I can put it that way - about the position in South Dublin County Council. I will bring it back to a local level in terms of South Dublin County Council plans. The number under build completion in the coming weeks will reach 15 units. Some 177 units have gone through a number of stages, including stage 1 and stage 2, while a number have gone through stage 3. I have reported to the council on the status. I have received great support from the elected members in the chamber on the Part VIII projects I have brought to them. A further 280 units have been scheduled in the coming months. In addition, I should mention the Clonburris strategic development zone. This will bring in the region of 8,000 to 10,000 units. These will not all be social units - that is the total for the entire development - but a number will be for social housing use.

These are part of the first 500 bundle under the public private partnership. We are working with the National Development Finance Agency and the National Treasury Management Agency and there will be 100 units in this case. Earlier, Deputy Ó Broin mentioned the Grange development. The 100 units will be a part of that. We are working on the master plan for the development of the rest of that site and we hope to finalise matters in the coming months. It should provide in the region of 750 or 850 units. That will be a mixed development. A number of these will be social housing units. It will be a mix and part of the mix is going to include affordable rental. Several Deputies mentioned this point. Those in a certain cohort are earning too much to be on the social housing list but not enough to be in the private market. They have to be catered for, and we hope to cater for them in the master plan for the Grange.

We should not lose sight of several points. We have plans for 80 to 100 step-down units. This is accommodation for our elderly or those in old age. The idea is to bring them back into a safer community, closer to services and facilities. We are in the process of planning three projects in that area.

Part V plays a role and has done for a number of years. We have already committed to 33 units. It may sounds like a small number but we hope to get in a further 113 units during 2016 and 2017.

Approved housing bodies have a role to play as well. It is fair to say that local authorities are only part of the solution. There are a number of solutions to the process and the crisis and we need to close off the circle. The public and private sectors are involved, but everything must come together. A number of things have to be brought in to close off the circle, but they must come in together.

There are other plans involving approved housing bodies. A total of 162 units have been provided to date under the capital advance leasing facility and payment and availability agreements. Furthermore, we have supported the capital assistance scheme. We are working with approved housing bodies on a number of other projects. This is taking place through the agreed protocol of co-operation, collaboration and communication between approved housing bodies and local authorities for the Dublin region. I know Deputy O'Dowd has certain views about approved housing bodies. To be honest, however, from my experience I have found they have very much come up to the mark.