Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Finance if there is a liaison facility in place in the National Assets Management Agency for homeowners of properties owned by developers who are under the remit of NAMA in order to resolve ongoing issues of health and safety requirements in these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1767/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, NAMA has acquired loans from five participating institutions and is not the owner of properties nor is it involved in the day-to-day management of properties. The Agency’s role is, like a bank, that of a secured lender. Other than properties that have been enforced, all of which are listed on NAMA’s website and which are managed by the appointed receivers/administrators, properties continue to be managed by their existing owners or their professional managers/agents. NAMA takes a very close interest in their efficient management and sale with a view to maximum loan repayment in order to protect the position of the taxpayer. In this respect, the existing legal owners or, in the case of enforcement, the duly appointed receivers/administrators are responsible for the efficient management of properties. NAMA requires that its debtors and receivers comply with highest standards in the management of properties, including compliance with all statutory and planning obligations. Queries relating to individual properties should, in this context, be addressed to the existing legal owners or appointed insolvency practitioners. However, NAMA, through its email address, info@nama.ie, facilitates members of the public who wish to notify purchaser interest or raise issues of concern in respect of properties that form security for its loans. It should be noted that, while NAMA is prohibited from disclosing the identity of debtors and details of their properties, the Agency advises that it ensures that debtors are aware of any potential purchaser interest or other issues that have been raised in respect to their properties.

The Deputy will also be aware that NAMA has established a dedicated email address to facilitate members of the Oireachtas in raising issues of concern to their constituents and that it has addressed a large number of such queries from TDs and Senators.

On the general issue, the Deputy may be aware that NAMA is fully engaged in both the formulation and implementation of public policy aimed at addressing the issue of unfinished housing estates. NAMA is actively represented on the National Co-ordination Committee established to oversee action on unfinished estates and has funded, through its debtors and receivers, the cost of urgent remedial work to address health and safety and other requirements. In terms of the exposure of NAMA debtors and receivers to unfinished housing estates, NAMA advises that of the 243 estates categorised as the most problematic from a public safety perspective, Category 4 estates, 29 or 12% are controlled by its debtors and receivers and 150 or 10% of Category 3 estates are controlled by its debtors and receivers.