Dáil debates

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions

Sale of State Assets

3:20 pm

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What I am trying to get a sense of is where this money is being spent. In budget 2015 the then Government announced that €400 million of the proceeds of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy was to be made available to establish an off-balance sheet financial vehicle to provide financing to approved housing bodies. In the words of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, "However, despite a high level of engagement with a wide range of potential providers and financiers of social housing, no new model of provision and-or financing of social housing on an off-balance sheet basis could be identified." That included consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as per the Minister, Deputy Coveney's answer.

The Government had €400 million on the table and despite all the best brains of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, and despite all the spin about the Government commitment to housing, the Government could not spend it, although there are people on our streets and children in emergency accommodation. What is this money being spent on? The Minister referred to all the money the Government is getting back from Ervia. What precisely is it being spent on and can people see where the disposal of State assets is going?

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