Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I had the benefit of meeting with him in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government, though I tabled this matter before that. In essence, I am asking about the need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to confirm his plans to establish a regulator for the approved housing bodies sector, to oversee the effective governance and financial management of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector and to safeguard the public and private investment in the sector.

I have received a number of comments relating to this sector over the last few years and am conscious that the Government is on to something here. It is part of pillar 2 of Rebuilding Ireland. Action 2.15 is for the Government to, "establish a Regulator for the AHB sector to oversee the effective governance and financial management of voluntary and co-operative housing bodies".The deadline was quarter 1 of 2017 and, therefore, the Minister is running a little late. There are suggestions that there is a need for legislation and regulation to give effect to this commitment and it would be important to introduce legislation to ensure good governance in the AHB and voluntary housing sector. I acknowledge the importance of the sector as part of a suite of opportunities and possibilities to deliver much-needed housing for rent and purchase. The sector has made a good contribution and it is willing to continue to shoulder some of the responsibility and make a positive input to providing much-needed affordable homes for the public. I am interested in the Minister's reply regarding the appointment of a regulator.