Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the commission dealing with pyrite will report its findings; and the actions that will be taken following this report. [36940/11]

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made on the commission examining pyrite. [37622/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 380 together.

I have asked the Chairman of the Panel to submit a report to me early in the New Year and it is my intention to publish the report. I understand the Panel is currently engaging in a wide-ranging consultation process with key stakeholders. I will consider the Panel's report and any recommendations contained in it when I receive it.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the full remit he intends the housing agency to have; how that relates to the one-agency approach to social housing; the legislation, if any, that will be required; the timeframe in which he intends to publish and enact such legislation; the number of staff currently employed by the agency; the contractual status of staff; if they are covered by the Croke Park agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36984/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA) was established on an administrative basis in May, 2010. Its remit is to work with and support local authorities, approved housing bodies and my Department in the delivery of housing and housing services. The Agency brings together under one body a broad range of support and advisory services in relation to housing and other construction related matters.

As the Agency was established on an administrative basis, it cannot at this time employ its own staff. There are currently 28 staff working in the Agency of which 5 have contracts with my Department, 6 are on secondment from local authorities and 17 are on secondment from the National Building Agency (NBA). All staff are covered by the provisions of the Croke Park Agreement.

HSCA will be given statutory underpinning as early as possible in 2012 through an order which will be made under the Local Government (Corporate Bodies) Bill as soon as this legislation is enacted. A Housing Bill will need to be enacted thereafter to give the Agency full legislative underpinning in its own right, to enable the Agency to carry out its full range of functions and to facilitate the statutory closure of the NBA.