Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Heritage and Local Government his plans to provide assistance to local authorities to address the problem of ghost estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7071/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The high level expert group on unfinished housing developments, established in October 2010 following the publication of my Department's national housing development survey database, is identifying practical policy solutions to address, effectively and promptly, the difficulties associated with unfinished housing developments. On foot of the interim analysis and findings of the expert group which were published on 17 February, an initial funding provision of €5 million is being made available to local authorities to deal with immediate safety issues and works to improve living conditions for existing residents. My Department has made the necessary arrangements for local authorities to make applications for funding for the most urgent and serious cases.

The initial findings of the expert group indicate that action on unfinished housing developments will require the following: a collaborative approach by all stakeholders working together to co-ordinate their efforts to resolve the issue of unfinished developments; an immediate focus on public safety aspects and critical issues affecting residents of developments; a structured and prioritised approach by local authorities supported by central resources; the use of site resolution plans and, where appropriate, innovative options such as resident and community involvement, co-operatives and self-build within the resolution process; and national co-ordination and monitoring of regionally and locally organised efforts to tackle the problem.

I expect the expert group's final report to be submitted to me this month. I will consider its findings and recommendations as a matter of urgency and will bring proposed actions and recommendations to the Government for approval.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I congratulate the Ministers of State, Deputies Willie Penrose and Fergus O'Dowd, and the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, on their appointments. I will have to be careful I do not get squeezed between the two midlands constituencies, with Carlow-Kilkenny on one side and Longford-Westmeath on the other.

The €5 million site resolution fund will be totally inadequate. Some 2,846 developments were inspected and, of these, work is ongoing in only 15%. In County Laois alone, there are 43 estates with partially built houses in occupied estates and a further nine estates in which no houses have yet been occupied. Overall, in 2,846 developments in the State, some 34,000 houses are complete or almost complete but vacant. That is the point I want to get across. Some 34,000 houses which are either finished or almost complete are lying empty, which is a scandal at a time when there are thousands on social housing waiting lists.

The former Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Mr. Michael Finneran, met representatives of British housing associations who were considering purchasing some ghost estates in Ireland to rent back to local authorities. Does the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, consider that proposal adequate? Will he consider providing capital funding for the provision of social housing?

All Members are aware that local authorities have growing housing waiting lists because of the financial pressures on people. The banks have queues of people seeking mortgages, many of whom are unsuccessful. The queues outside dole offices on signing-on day are getting longer. Sinn Féin proposes that ghost estates offer a potential solution, or partial solution, to these three problems, by providing employment for former construction workers, cheap social and affordable housing for people on local authority waiting lists, and assistance in getting people back to work.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for his question and am delighted to see a fellow midlander across the floor. Some of the points he makes are worth exploring. However, the first concern is the public safety aspect in terms of building compliance and health and safety. There are some 400 estates requiring that attention, which is a huge number. Phase two involves collaboration and co-ordination, that is, getting local authorities, banks, owner-developers - where they are traceable, which is a major concern - and communities to work together to develop specific and workable plans for particular sites.

Local authorities were to have submitted their findings by 8 April. The findings are coming in thick and fast and we hope to have them all shortly. What is immediately clear is that the types of projects forwarded by local authorities to date relate to such issues as the capping of water pipes and manholes, connecting street lighting, and fencing off building sites containing partially built houses and drains. Finishing out some of the units to extract value from sites is something that will have to be pursued. Another possibility is finding alternative uses, such as converting them to community centres or health centres.

I will meet NAMA representatives next week and will explore all these issues with them. NAMA's remit is primarily commercial but, where possible, I will examine whether there can be a social dividend for the public, which has been extremely helpful in this regard.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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In respect of housing developments partially owned by banks and where people bought homes two or three years ago but still do not have deeds, will the Minister of State use the opportunity of his meeting with NAMA representatives and any further communications with the banks to address that issue? If the people own the banks and we represent the people, surely we in this Chamber have some control over the matter. I urge the Minister of State to take that opportunity.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Had certain legislation been passed we might have reaped a social dividend, but it is slow. Perhaps Deputy Stanley will contact me directly in advance of next week setting out his proposals. I will pursue these issues with the NAMA representatives with a view to ensuring people get that to which they are legitimately entitled.