Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to establish a scheme in which local authorities would enter into long-term leasing arrangements with developers to address housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I recently announced new arrangements for the delivery of social housing whereby housing authorities may enter into long-term leases of private dwellings as a means of meeting housing need. My Department has outlined the details of these new arrangements in a circular which I have requested be sent to the Deputy.

The purpose of the new arrangements is to provide a wider range of supply options to authorities to meet housing need. In addition, while taking advantage of the greater availability of private stock for rental, the use of leasing will allow for more efficient and effective use of available public resources and will maximize the levels of social housing that can be achieved.

The main features of the new arrangements are as follows: housing authorities will enter into leasing arrangements with property owners for periods of between 10 — 20 years; the leases will be for unfurnished dwellings; the lease type will be full 'repair and insure' lease with the housing authority responsible for insurance, maintenance and upkeep; the accommodation leased will be used to house persons on the local authority's waiting list and tenants will be local authority tenants or in some cases tenants of voluntary bodies; leased properties must comply with Government housing policy of promoting sustainable communities and must have regard to the concentration of social housing within the proposed area.