Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister, Deputy Kelly, and I share his concerns that this modern, purpose-built facility has not yet been fully tenanted. My officials are continuing to liaise closely with Dublin City Council to resolve the matter urgently as the current situation is not acceptable

As the Deputy is aware, this facility was funded under my Department's capital assistance scheme, which provides funding to approved housing bodies for the provision of accommodation for persons with specific categories of housing need, such as homeless and older persons, people with disabilities, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. In this case the Catholic Housing Aid Society is the approved housing body involved with the Fr. Scully House project.

Almost €17 million has been recouped by my Department in respect of Fr. Scully House since the commencement of the development in 2012. When Dublin City Council advised my Department during last summer of difficulties in its negotiations with the Catholic Housing Aid Society in agreeing the rent on these units, my officials immediately stressed the importance of resolving this issue as a matter of urgency so vulnerable people who need these units can move into these new homes as soon as possible. A number of high level meetings on the matter were convened, including one chaired by the Minister, Deputy Kelly, in order to resolve the matter urgently.

I understand that the rent levels being proposed by the Catholic Housing Aid Society in respect of these units are more in line with market rents than social housing rents. As a result, Dublin City Council has advised that it will be unable to nominate their tenants for these units.

Some progress was made in the matter just before Christmas which resulted in 23 former tenants returning to Fr. Scully House at their original rent levels, without the requirement for a deposit. It was also agreed that the housing agency would examine the costs incurred by Catholic Housing Aid Society and make recommendations in respect of the proposed rent levels.

I understand that following the housing agency's independent review of the rent levels, there is a difference of approximately €180 per month between the amount being requested by the Catholic Housing Aid Society and the amount acceptable to Dublin City Council. My Department is continuing to engage constructively with the council and the Catholic Housing Aid Society to review the costs incurred on this scheme and assess their impact on the proposed rent levels. A further meeting on the matter was held between the council and the Catholic Housing Aid Society last week and a follow-up meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow.

While I acknowledge that some progress has been made on this matter, it is unacceptable that 76 new state-of-the-art units remain vacant. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. My Department is continuing to liaise with Dublin City Council concerning its negotiations with the society to ensure a successful outcome to this issue as soon as possible. This will ensure that not only is the State's investment in this facility protected, but more importantly ensure that these units become homes for the vulnerable, elderly people they are intended to accommodate.

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