Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before last Christmas we were told that NAMA had identified 2,000 houses in this area but in the end approximately 68 were delivered, which was very poor. For various reasons houses and properties were ignored. Now 3,800 units have been identified. However, the Minister of State has given a breakdown of some that are unsuitable or have been withdrawn and consequently there now are approximately 2,010 such units. I do not know at this stage how many will be delivered but there is a housing crisis. Some 98,000 people are on the waiting list for housing who, taking into account men, women and children, represent several hundred thousand people. That is the reality; the number is building and becoming ever bigger.

We are planning to lease these units from NAMA over a period of time instead of putting them forward for social housing. That is the big issue here. These houses must go towards the social housing list, not for leasing by local authorities. The property developers and those who ended up under the remit of NAMA are getting a double whammy here. They are being paid for these units which ultimately will return to those who previously owned them before the leasing period, whether that be for 25 years or more.

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