Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses currently held by voluntary agencies under the capital allowance scheme; if he is satisfied that rent reviews and other obligations have been complied with annually in all such cases; the action that is contemplated to ensure that all statutory requirements are met when and as necessary in respect of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4379/11]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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In the case of standard accommodation provided under the CLSS, tenants are drawn from the local authority housing waiting list and rents are largely based on the local authority Differential Rents Schemes. Under the CLSS, the application of the rent formula as set out in the scheme may be modified, at the discretion of the approved housing body, in particular respects where they consider this appropriate. Rent payable under the scheme to an approved housing body, by a tenant, is based on household income in the previous tax year. Where this would result in hardship arising from a fall in income due to loss of employment, disability etc, the rent may be adjusted accordingly.

In the case of accommodation provided under the CAS, rents are charged at a reasonable rate having regard to tenants' income. In a case where the approved housing body contributes a minimum of 5% of the capital cost of a CAS funded project, the approved body may retain nomination rights for up to 25% of the units. In these circumstances, the normal landlord/tenant arrangements, including in relation to rent, apply.

The local authority has an overall responsibility to ensure that approved housing bodies comply with the requirements in relation to letting policy, as set out under the funding schemes, including the requirement for prior consultation and agreement on letting policies for each new project.