Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date by the Affordable Homes Partnership; if the 1999 affordable housing scheme, Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2002 scheme and the affordable housing initiative scheme will be amalgamated in order that a person only has to make one application for affordable housing to a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30227/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Affordable Homes Partnership was established with effect from 1 August 2005 under the terms of the Affordable Homes Partnership (Establishment) Order 2005, copies of which have been placed in the Oireachtas Library.

In the short period since its appointment, the board of the partnership has already met on two occasions. An interim chief executive officer has taken up duty, arrangements for the wider staffing of the organisation have been progressed significantly and a range of corporate governance issues have been addressed. The partnership's overall objective is to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in the greater Dublin area and it has been assigned specific functions for this purpose in article 4(2) of the establishment order. In its work to-date, the partnership has focused particular attention on preparations for the call for proposals to issue to builders-developers with a view to bringing forward land for affordable housing. I understand this process, which will take account of guidelines issued by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will be initiated shortly by way of public advertisement.

The partnership has also been undertaking preparatory work on a number of land swap projects similar to the successful Harcourt Terrace pilot project concluded earlier this year. I understand the procurement process in the first of these projects is to commence next month. As for the possible amalgamation of the various affordable housing schemes currently in operation, this was one of a number of issues highlighted in the NESC report, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, for further consideration. The Government intends to address these issues shortly, taking account also of work under way by the housing forum in reviewing the effectiveness of existing social and affordable housing schemes in the context of the Sustaining Progress agreement.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he funds voluntary organisations or housing bodies which aim to secure accommodation for returned emigrants; if he will provide contact details of these organisations and bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30228/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the amendment made to the terms of my Department's voluntary housing capital assistance scheme in November 2001, up to 25% of accommodation in new projects provided throughout the country by individual voluntary housing bodies with funding under the scheme may be allocated to elderly returning emigrants who satisfy eligibility criteria in relation to their present circumstances and are included in the Safe Home waiting list.

The Safe Home organisation carries out a co-ordinating role liaising with relevant individual voluntary housing bodies throughout the country in relation to accommodation for eligible elderly emigrants who are included in their waiting list. Safe Home assesses applications from elderly emigrants for accommodation under the scheme and compiles a list of eligible applicants. It liaises with relevant voluntary bodies throughout the country and with local authorities in relation to accommodation for eligible elderly emigrants on its waiting list and carries out a co-ordinating role generally in relation to the scheme. Elderly emigrants wishing to apply for accommodation may contact the Safe Home Programme, Saint Brendan's Village, Mulranny, County Mayo.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an application has been submitted to his Department by Mayo County Council in respect of proposed works at a housing estate (details supplied) in County Mayo; if funding has been approved; when he will approve funding for the planned maintenance programme. [30235/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Preliminary documentation has been received from Mayo County Council in regard to the refurbishment of housing estates in the county including the estate in question. My Department recently wrote to the council requesting that it submit a schedule of proposed remedial works over the next three years at various locations throughout the county to enable the council and the Department examine the detailed proposals and to assess funding requirements over the period. It is understood the county council are concentrating in the first instance on upgrading rural houses in the county as it is considered that they are in most in need of refurbishment.