David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which the National Assets Management Agency is contributing to social development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15408/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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NAMA has a commercial remit and a statutory objective to generate a return for the taxpayer. However, within the context of its commercial remit and consistent with section 2 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, NAMA is at all times open to considering proposals aimed at contributing to broader social and economic objectives. Thus NAMA is open to facilitating the work of public bodies in the creation of vibrant sustainable communities where this is possible. The NAMA Board has committed to giving first option to State bodies on the purchase of property which may be suitable for their purposes where these bodies have requirements such as schools, parks, and so on. I understand that officials of NAMA have already had contact with officials of the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government, Department of Education and Skills, the HSE, local authorities and other public bodies to explore the scope for such arrangements.