Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his timeframe for the occupation of the empty and unfinished homes in Dublin north east which number up to 1,500 units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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There is clear potential to align demand for social housing with oversupply of suitable residential stock where it exists. The restructuring of the social housing investment programme to enable greater delivery through more flexible funding models such as RAS and leasing is key to this, in conjunction with other funding mechanisms to support the delivery of permanent new social housing.

There is also potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing, to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).

My Department has been engaging with representatives of NAMA, and since coming into office I have also met with the Chairman and the CEO, to discuss options for securing a social dividend through the acquisition of suitable residential units for social housing purposes, while providing a return in line with NAMA's mandate. I anticipate that this and other engagements will see the delivery of new social housing in the short term and I am progressing this agenda as a matter of urgency.