Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Mitchell O'Connor for raising this important matter. NAMA has a commercial remit and a statutory objective to generate a return for the taxpayer, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. However, in the context of its commercial remit and consistent with section 2 of the National Asset Management Act 2009, NAMA is at all times open to considering proposals aimed at contributing to broader social and economic objectives.

I am informed by NAMA that the property concerned is among the properties listed on the NAMA website and that the property has been offered for sale by a receiver appointed by NAMA. While the property is not owned by NAMA, I understand the receiver has an obligation to secure the maximum proceeds for the debtor to ensure that to the greatest possible extent debt outstanding against the assets can be repaid.

I am informed by NAMA that it expects the current value of the property to be determined by the receiver in line with his obligations. I also understand that the receiver has received offers from potential purchasers. Any additional expressions of interest, including from public authorities interested in making an offer on the site, can be directed towards the receiver, Mr. Declan Taite of RSM Farrell Grant Sparks. The e-mail address is namapropcrties@rsmfgs.ie. All offers made will be submitted by the receiver to the National Asset Management Agency for the final decision as to which of them should be accepted.

The NAMA board has confirmed its policy of giving first option to State bodies on the purchase of property which may be suitable for their purposes where these bodies have requirements such as schools, hospitals, parks and so forth. Thus, where a State body can match any alternative financial offers, NAMA would be disposed to the body in question acquiring the asset. In the context of this policy and in view of the land's proximity to the Booterstown Marsh and Nature Reserve, I expect that NAMA will consider any offers which may be submitted by the relevant public bodies before making its final decision.

In the context of contributing to wider social and economic objectives, NAMA concluded the sale of 58 social and affordable units to the Cluid housing association in July of this year. The agency has also provided a list of more than 1,000 properties to Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and I am informed it is in discussion with the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, his officials and the Irish Council for Social Housing with a view to identifying properties which may be suitable for social housing. I understand NAMA has also had contact with officials of other Departments and agencies, such as the Department of Education and Skills, Health Service Executive, local authorities and other public bodies. In addition, I am aware that the agency has approved the release of lands in Baldoyle to Fingal County Council for extra parklands, accommodated the sale of a 13 acre site in Hansfield West, Dublin, to the Department of Education and Skills and agreed to co-fund with Fingal County Council a link through lands that NAMA has as a security for loans in west Dublin which will link the N2-N3.

The NAMA chairman recently informed the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service that engagement with community groups on issues of concern to them continues to take place. He also informed the joint committee that while NAMA may not give away land or property, should a community group have an interest in a particular piece of land or property or wish to extend a sports pitch, it should speak with the agency. Any local community organisation which has a proposal that it wishes to put to NAMA should contact its portfolio management unit. The agency is engaging with the public sector and wider community in terms of social and economic objectives. I stress, however, that parties interested in purchasing the property near Booterstown Marsh should contact the receiver.

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