Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the work being undertaken to professionalise the provision of housing services in local authorities through specialist university level training in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35991/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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As Minister, I am primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy and for the preparation of legislation in relation to housing nationally.

Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. The day-to-day operation of the social housing system including the issue of ensuring that all staff have the necessary skills and expertise required to perform their roles to the highest professional level possible is in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authority concerned.

However, mindful of the need to have the best trained staff possible working in the housing area, my Department supports the development of appropriate third level training. To this end, my Department has actively engaged with the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), who have a strong and valued reputation in providing quality third level education particularly to staff in the public sector, to ensure that the right mix of courses are available for local authority and other staff who work in the housing area. The Institute already runs a number of such courses every year, including a year-long Certificate in Housing Studies programme, which I understand is very well availed of by local authority staff across the country.