Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

These amendments generally seek to expand the list of bodies and persons with whom the housing authority formally consults on the draft development plan. I do not consider that the combination of amendments will add to the provision. I am satisfied that the list under section 16(1)(f) is sufficiently broad to cover the groups referred to in the proposed amendments. However, when work is completed on the homeless action plans, I envisage that the homeless fora may need to be included in that listing.

On amendment No. 16, which seeks to expand paragraph (d) of subsection (1) which provides that approved bodies must be consulted, it is important to state that such bodies must have, as primary objects, the relief of housing needs, poverty and hardship. It is also relevant in the context of the proposed amendment to state that they receive their approved status for the purpose of, inter alia, the provision of housing accommodation for homeless persons. The use of the phrase "approved bodies engaged in the provision of accommodation or shelter" in subsection (1)(d) is, I believe, sufficient to cover the work engaged in by approved bodies and the additional phraseology, as proposed, is not necessary in this instance. I have concerns that in trying to draw out the provision there is a danger of excluding a group that would have been covered by the more general term.

Specifically, on amendment No. 18, which proposes to include recognised associations under section 128 of the Local Government Act 2001, I am satisfied that subsection (1)(f) of section 16, which specifies that the draft plan may be made available to local community bodies or any other persons as the housing authority considers appropriate, is sufficient to cover anygroups which are active locally that are relevant. I ask the Senators to withdraw the amendments.

The housing services plan, which will be made within six months of the development plan, will have to have regard to that plan. The development plan, and the housing strategy therein, is subject to full public consultation. Consequently, a broad constituency of groups will have had an opportunity to make submission on overall goals, including the quantum of housing demand and need at that stage, and it would be inappropriate to repeat this process within a short time. The groups listed, and the local groups the manager might also include, will be those with particular interest——