Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. AHB tenancies are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board and governed by residential tenancies legislation. AHBs are currently subject to a voluntary regulation code and they will shortly come under the remit of the new approved housing bodies regulatory authority, which is in the process of being established. The Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 addresses AHB governance, financial management, financial reporting, property and asset management and tenancy management, as well as the need for standards in these areas. The new regulatory authority for AHBs will, as part of its remit, prepare standards relating to each case in these areas. AHB accommodation must meet the standards of the service level agreement between the AHB and the local authority. Access to additional services which may be provided on a campus but which are not covered by the service charge is a matter for individual negotiation by a tenant. It is not a matter for the Department.

The Part V process makes a valuable contribution to social housing delivery and the core and critical nature of such delivery of social housing units in a manner that is sustainable, efficient and consistent with social housing policy and objectives. I am satisfied that the approach adopted by the AHB concerned in the development referenced by the Deputy is consistent in trying to achieve these objectives.

I will raise the rental legislation with the Minister, who is expecting to publish the affordability measures legislation before the end of this year, with a ring-fenced fee of approximately €80 million and €15 million contained in the budget for both cost rental and affordability measures. I will raise the other points directly with the Minister and revert to the Deputy.

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