Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

10. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will contact each local authority to encourage them to engage with the National Asset Management Agency on lands within their portfolio, which have planning permission granted or which are zoned, and which could be used for social housing; his views that such a process would help to alleviate the current housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38229/15]

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question has arisen because there is much heated discussion taking place in regard to NAMA. What engagement has the Minister had with NAMA and local authorities given that NAMA has large tracts of land which have planning permission? It is incumbent on us to ensure local authorities have an opportunity to purchase these sites.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has enabled and facilitated NAMA in playing an important role in the delivery of housing supply generally and social housing in particular. In that context NAMA affords public bodies first option on the acquisition of land and property required for demonstrable public purposes. NAMA is also funding the construction of new residential properties to help meet demand in the major urban centres. Last year, NAMA funded nearly 50% of new housing output in Dublin despite having less than one third of residentially zoned development land in Dublin. Since the start of 2014, NAMA has funded the construction of more than 2,000 new houses and apartments in the greater Dublin area.

In budget 2016, the Minister for Finance announced that NAMA, having carried out a review of residentially zoned sites under the control of its debtors and receivers, is aiming to fund the delivery of a target 20,000 additional new homes before the end of 2020. This is in addition to NAMA's ongoing and central role in facilitating the delivery of new commercial and residential space in the Dublin dockland’s strategic development zone. Residential developments funded by NAMA are subject to the same planning and regulatory requirements as all other developments and this includes policy relating to social housing delivery as set out in local authority housing strategies in line with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Given the vital importance of ensuring that for social and economic reasons new residential supply is delivered as quickly as possible, NAMA will work closely with local authorities and with utilities to ensure that all relevant bodies co-operate effectively to deliver the programme. In the context of social housing delivery in particular, NAMA has had ongoing engagement since December 2011 with my Department and the housing agency in identifying properties that might potentially be suitable for social housing purposes. To the end of September 2015, a total of 1,600 NAMA residential properties have been delivered for social housing use, comprising 1,241 completed properties and a further 359 that have been contracted and where completion work is ongoing. A further 486 properties are considered as being active transactions whereby terms are agreed or active negotiation is ongoing by all parties concerned. An additional 440 properties are to be further appraised. Overall, I expect that in excess of 2,000 units for social housing purposes will be secured from the engagement with NAMA.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The issue that concerns me most is that local authorities in their engagement with NAMA may also be waiting for the developers who are working with NAMA to deliver on the 10% social and affordable housing. However, both Deputy Bernard Durkan, who is well known in the Kildare area, and I, are aware of a number of sites in NAMA that have planning permission and that the local authorities appear reluctant to engage with NAMA on the purchase of. While the announcements made by he Minister in recent months are welcome they concern sites that do not have planning permission and we have to go through the Part 8 process, whereas I am identifying sites that have planning permission and are in NAMA and could be taken up straight away and built on for social and affordable housing, as in the past. This would enable individuals on the housing list to get housing or those who are in a position to do so to purchase houses through a local tenant purchase scheme.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As announced on budget day, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, has asked NAMA to carry out an analysis of development sites controlled by its debtors and receivers with a view to identifying the scope for residential delivery for the period up to 2020. It is important to note that its target of 20,000 residential units by the end of 2020 estimates that 90% of that will be in the greater Dublin area, which includes Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. Given the vital importance of ensuring that for social and economic reasons new residential supply is delivered as quickly as is feasible NAMA will work closely with local authorities and the utilities to ensure all the relevant bodies co-operate effectively to deliver on this programme.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Just a quick-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy does not mind, I want to call Deputy Mulherin as she has been sitting here for an hour and the Deputy's time is up.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I accept that. Will the Minister of State communicate with the local authorities on this issue?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes, I am sure he will.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of Deputy Mulherin's question.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sorry, will the Minister of State please reply to Deputy Lawlor. Is it yes, or no?

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is ongoing engagement. We will incur further deeper engagement because it is in everyone's interest that we deliver as many housing units as possible.