Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps taken to implement the recommendations of the advisory group on unfinished developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30388/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I established and am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations.

The Committee is comprised of representatives from the Banking sector, the Local Authorities, NAMA, and the construction sector as well as my Department. I consider that harnessing these various areas of expertise in a collaborative approach will result in the most effective resolution of the issues facing us.

Outputs from the Committee so far include:

- The preparation of a Guidance Manual on Resolving and Managing Unfinished Housing Developments (published in August 2011);

- The preparation of a Key Stakeholders Code of Practice and a Resident's Guide (both published last week);

- Overseeing the Public Safety Initiative which provides funding support of €5 million;

- Improved national and local co-ordination through the City and County Managers Association;

- Engagement and coordination of initiatives with NAMA;

- Engagement with the banking sector through the Irish Banking Federation, and;

- Reviewing best practice initiatives and progress on the preparation of Site Resolution Plans nationally.

The Committee is meeting on a regular basis with the aim of publishing a report on progress achieved within the next 12 months. In the meantime, work is ongoing on implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group and real progress is already being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates.