Ms Catherine Keenan:

I am speaking on behalf of Dún Laoghaire. In terms of the NAMA housing office, we were initially offered in the region of 300 possible properties, but the eventual offer was 190 units of which 112 have been completed and contracted to date. As is the case with other bodies, some properties were deemed unsuitable in terms of location, tenants already in situand various different issues. The majority of the 112 units were taken up.

In terms of the delivery of units, we are currently on site with 54 units which will be built by the end of the year. Another 140 are planned for 2017. Some 124 will be leased through Part V and will come on stream in January 2017. At the moment, eight Part VIII units have been approved, of which three are out to tender and others are in preparation for tender. We are working very closely in all of those areas.

We are conscious of the need for one-bedroom units. A downsizing campaign is under way. A high-class brochure was sent out to all of our elderly citizens, in particular those living in one-bedroom units. We have received correspondence from about 14 people who wish to downsize. The figures sound small, but every bit helps in terms of getting families back into properties. There are currently 34 one-bedroom units being refurbished.

A further 49 are coming on stream.

The approval process has improved for us and we have no problems at present. We are working very well and approvals are coming on stream quickly now.