Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Arising from the intervention of me and the former Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, with the National Asset Management Agency, we were in a position to secure agreement on the provision by the agency of 2,000 units of accommodation. This is a major boost towards the social dividend we expected from NAMA and will assist those on the housing waiting lists, which are, I regret, growing. The Department is examining initiatives of this nature to ensure families are moved into houses as quickly as possible. We are also engaging with local authorities in respect of the 2,000 units. We also want to ensure the National Asset Management Agency spends the moneys needed to make the properties fit for purpose in order that people can enjoy their new homes without the householder or local authority having to do work on them. Every effort is being made to ensure the units we identified in 2011 through this process will be expedited under the leasing scheme. I believe, however, that home ownership is ultimately the best way for people to have a stake in their home and ensure they have pride in their home. After a period, if the property market improves, I hope we will revisit the matter and be in a position to offer people an opportunity to purchase some of these homes in due course.

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