Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue on the Adjournment. I apologise for my voice, as I might not be able to get my message across.

The Freemount Housing Association in north County Cork successfully applied some time ago for funding for the development of social housing units, but a balance was due at the end. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, for his considerable help in negotiating the last tranche of funding for the association in recent years. It is almost 12 months since he approved the last amount of funding, so I am pleased he is present to take this debate. He has been involved in many projects in north County Cork during the past year.

We have landed ourselves in a legal dilemma where the transfer of funding from the Department and Cork County Council to the housing association to pay off the debts accruing on the development of the social housing project is concerned. This is causing significant difficulties, as the voluntary housing association wants to clear its account and pay off outstanding bills, which is difficult to do when finances are tight and the times are tough economically. Through the good offices of the Minister of State, the Department has allocated money to Cork County Council to complete the transaction. However, the handing over of the last cheque by the council to the association is in a legal quagmire that involves the Department, the Attorney General's office, the Chief State Solicitor's office and the council. This matter has been ongoing for six or eight months. Will the Minister of State use his influence in Dáil Éireann and beyond to try to ensure that the funding can be provided? The voluntary housing association in Freemount has taken on board this fantastic project, but not without unexpected difficulties.

The last tranche of funding was agreed on 19 or 20 November 2009. Unfortunately, between the Chief State Solicitor's office, the Attorney General's office, the council and the Department, the last instalment is stuck in a logjam. A legal question arose because all of the association's tenants needed to be approved council tenants for the last tranche of funding to be provided.

Will the Minister of State do everything possible to ensure that Cork County Council releases the last tranche of funding to the Freemount Housing Association? I cannot stress enough the amount of work and commitment that has been involved. Like every voluntary organisation, it only comprises one or two people but they need to get the account cleared and pay their outstanding commitments. It is a fright that the money required, despite having been allocated by the Minister of State, is in a legal quagmire between the council and the housing association. The association needs that money to discharge its duties. Will the Minister of State do everything he can to ensure the money is paid to the association?

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