Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there will be any returns to the State or local authorities from the National Assets Management Agency leasing initiative. [36084/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of houses that have been transferred from National Asset Management Agency into social housing and their location by county; the number of houses offered by NAMA and their location by county; the number inspected and their location by county; the criteria used for selecting eligible houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36417/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 515 together.

In December 2011 NAMA identified over 2,000 properties as being potentially available for social housing. Since that announcement my Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA have been working together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards bringing NAMA units into social use. Housing authorities have been assessing the suitability of the units identified with regard to location, local demand, the nature and type of the accommodation and sustainable communities' principles. Of the original number, 701 have been deemed unsuitable by housing authorities. A further 372 have been withdrawn, usually by property owners, as circumstances have changed.

At present demand has been confirmed for nearly 1,200 units and these are currently being processed. Discussion and negotiation has commenced in respect of these properties which are at various stages of the appraisal and approval process. Inspection of properties, which takes place in all cases, is a part of this process. Of the 1,200 properties for which local authorities have demand, contracts are signed in respect of 58 units, 405 are being processed through the approval stage and 719 are being appraised. There are no units operational at this stage; however, it is expected that units will be tenanted in the second half of the year. NAMA continues to work with a view to identifying additional units suitable for inclusion in the programme.