Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to express my appreciation of the good work done by the voluntary housing sector in Ireland. The sector works in close co-operation with local authorities and other statutory bodies to deliver many local services for the public.

Last June my Department launched a new housing policy framework which puts the voluntary and co-operative sector at the very heart of social housing provision. I will use the substantial expertise and momentum the sector has built up in recent years in meeting our shared objective of providing housing for those who cannot do so from their own resources.

With regard to Áras Rónán on Inis Mór, the project was constructed about ten years ago with grant assistance of €2.4 million from my Department to meet a specific housing need for elderly persons on the island. The facility includes a group home and 18 units for independent living. I am pleased to see the voluntary body in question has worked in close co-operation with the HSE in the delivery of care services locally. I understand both the HSE and the voluntary body want to consolidate care services at Áras Rónán, using part of the existing residential facility for this purpose.

In the case of all projects funded under the capital assistance scheme, it is a condition that the facilities are used for their intended purpose and that the investment by the taxpayer is protected. The approved housing body must enter into a mortgage agreement with the local authority for a period of 30 years. In cases where the accommodation provided under the capital assistance scheme is no longer used for its intended purpose, the mortgage must be redeemed in full or transferred to another approved body. In the case of Áras Rónán, the voluntary body is the de facto owner of the properties, subject to the terms of the mortgage deed.

My Department wants to be as supportive as possible in consolidating care services at Áras Rónán. To this end, it wrote to the voluntary body last month asking for specific information on the number of units required for the care facility. Given that the terms of the mortgage deed could be an issue, we asked if a lease arrangement could be put in place between the housing body and the HSE. To date, we have not received a response. I hope we can make progress on the basis of the lease arrangement.

See this speech in context