Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this item as it allows me the opportunity to acknowledge the very good work done by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.

The sector has a proud record of achievement in the provision of rental accommodation to substantial numbers of vulnerable households over the past 20 years or so. Since the 1980s, more than 23,000 homes have been delivered through the capital assistance scheme and the capital loan and subsidy scheme. These capital funding schemes provide 100% funding for the provision of accommodation for people with special housing needs and low-income families respectively. Both schemes are administered by housing authorities and it is a matter for each authority to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the schemes.

The detailed requirements and relevant guidance are set out in the Department's memorandum, capital funding schemes for the provision of rental accommodation by approved housing bodies. As outlined in the memorandum, housing bodies seeking funding under the schemes must have approved status under section 6 of the Housing Act 1992. Such a body must have as its primary objectives the provision of accommodation for low-income families or persons with special needs and must have in its memorandum of association or registered rules, as the case may be, provisions prohibiting the distribution of any surplus, profit, bonus or dividend to members and requiring that the assets of the body be applied solely towards its objectives.

In order to ensure that the voluntary and co-operative housing programme is best positioned to deliver on housing need, my Department commissioned an independent report by outside consultants on the future policy and direction of the programme. The report, which I launched late last year, contains recommendations to identify strengths and weaknesses in corporate governance practices, including the examination of current practice with regard to monitoring and regulation of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.

Stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the principal recommendations of the Grant Thornton report is now well under way and is being done through the working group on voluntary and co-operative housing, which is representative of the Irish Council for Social Housing, the National Association of Building Co-operatives, the County and City Managers' Association and my Department.

This brings me to the housing association specifically raised by Deputy Durkan. Léim an Bhradáin Housing Association was granted approved status by my Department in 1997. This housing body was properly established, is still effective and has submitted up-to-date returns to the Companies Registration Office. In 2000, my Department approved funding of over €3 million under the capital loan and subsidy scheme for the provision of 32 houses by this approved housing body.

I am sure Deputy Durkan will appreciate that my Department's primary role in voluntary and co-operative housing is to ensure sufficient funding is provided to meet ongoing demand for new projects. Approved housing bodies are the owners of the accommodation financed under my Department's capital funding schemes and are responsible for the proper management and maintenance of dwellings, the fixing of rent and compliance with all relevant statutory requirements. It is the responsibility of the body to ensure that proper procedures and governance arrangements are in place to achieve compliance with the terms of the capital funding schemes.

I understand officials from Kildare County Council have been engaging closely with this approved body. I draw the Deputy's attention to my earlier comment that it is a matter for the housing authority to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme and to have suitable liaison arrangements in place to oversee the administration of the schemes.

I understand an AGM was held recently. Kildare County Council is in discussions with the body and is seeking the information to which it is entitled. I hope there will always be a co-operative approach among tenants, bodies and local authorities in such situations. I am supportive of this type of scheme and I would not like to see anything untoward happening in any area, although I am not saying that is the case here. I have confirmation from Kildare County Council that it is in discussions with the association. If anything further comes to the attention of my Department, I will be only too willing to pass it on to the Deputy.

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