Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vacant residential properties owned by private citizens, banks, non-bank lenders, the National Asset Management Agency, in receivership, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14150/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Central Bank publishes Residential Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions Statistics on a quarterly basis, however, neither the Bank nor my Department collate data on all vacant properties categorised by the requested cohorts.

The Deputy will be aware that NAMA does not own residential property. Rather NAMA has acquired loans and its role is that of a lender with claims over security for its loans rather than a property owner or lessor. In that capacity, NAMA holds security over properties that are owned by its debtors or, in the case of enforcement, which are managed on behalf of those debtors by duly appointed insolvency practitioners. I am advised that there are approximately 6,000 completed residential properties over which NAMA holds security in relation to its loan portfolio, 99% of which are occupied.  The other 1% is frictional vacancy due to tenants relocating as leases roll over and expire.