Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in view of the recoupment of reinstatement costs for leased units under the social housing leasing initiative, SHIP20.10.07, if he contributes 50%, who is liable for the other 50%; if reinstatement refers to the standard pertaining at commencement of the lease or at the conclusion of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15944/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Under the general agreement by which a property is provided under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative, the property should be returned at the end of the lease period in the same condition as at the commencement of the lease subject to normal wear and tear.

Where costs arise in re-instating a property at the end of the lease period the Department will fund up to 50% of these costs. The local authority or the approved housing body, as the case may be, will be liable for the remaining costs.

The payment of any reinstatement costs by the Department will be subject to certain terms and conditions. Any application made for such costs to be recouped by the Department must be based on the condition survey agreed between the owner and the authority at the start of the lease, and a detailed schedule and cost of works envisaged to re-instate the units to the required condition.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of lease agreements undertaken in 2009 under the social housing leasing initiative that conform to the new standard, SHIP20.10.07, of a maximum of four units within a single development and with a single owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15945/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Circular SHIP 2010.07 was issued to housing authorities in March 2009. The purpose of the circular was to extend the leasing arrangements to facilitate housing authorities who wished to lease single or small numbers of properties from individual property owners and to provide clarity to authorities on the financial arrangements underpinning the leasing initiative.

With regard to the leasing of single or small numbers of properties the circular gave housing authorities delegated power (i.e. no Department approval is necessary) to enter into lease arrangements for up to four units within a single development or with a single owner subject to compliance with the normal conditions governing the leasing initiative. The circular does not restrict authorities from acquiring more than four units within a particular development; however, funding approval from the Department is required in such cases.

In 2009 three separate leasing applications were received where there were four or fewer units proposed, and one of these has been approved by the Department.