Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Lawlor referred to trying to play catch-up and asked about approved housing bodies, AHBs, of which there are 551. I believe Senator Craughwell also mentioned them. The majority of those housing bodies are not large-scale housing bodies that employ many staff, directors and so on. Most of the AHBs are smaller housing associations that are responsible for one very successful project and they have done great work. The legislation being brought through is really not for them, and there will also be different tiers as it goes along with regard to the regulations. There are probably 20 major players and the rest are at a smaller scale. We do, however, have to protect everybody - because that draws on taxpayers' money - including themselves and ourselves. Mergers are being encouraged, although it is not at a very fast pace. Gradually those housing associations are coming together or merging, or their purpose for forming in the first place is no longer there since they may have built their houses very successfully. They have done great work. We are trying to replicate a lot of that great work. We are, for example, trying to roll out a new model for delivery of housing for people who are ageing. Those housing associations were involved in bringing forward the successful projects in the past. They have done good work.

I have dealt with the help-to-buy scheme. Reference was also made to the urban regeneration guidelines and the social housing versus the other types. I believe in having a mix on every site such as private, social and affordable housing. I strongly believe that. Others might not and that is fine. The issue raised was that the guidelines were not being adhered to in some cases. I am familiar with one site that was brought to my attention. I do not believe it is an issue in every county. I have heard of one site in Kildare, and possibly another in Dublin. We do look at that-----