Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 are designed to provide a more transparent framework for the delivery of a diverse range of social housing options. The Bill clarifies the role of housing authorities in regard to the management of housing which they own or lease under the rental accommodation scheme or other arrangements. This includes the power to determine rent and other charges in respect of such dwellings. The Bill also provides for the making of a rent scheme to set out the manner in which rents will be determined.

It does not introduce any new requirements in respect of the formation or employment of management companies. Section 30 of the Bill provides that some or all of a housing authority's management functions may be delegated to a designated body. Such delegation is confined to a body including residents and these powers already exist under section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.

The question of the formation of management companies must be addressed in the context of developing proposals on the tenant purchase of apartments. I hope to bring forward proposals in this regard during the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas.

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