Written answers

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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751. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to State-backed housing projects that have been delayed due to the sale of the loans of the contractor to vulture funds; if so, the projects, such as in the case of a company (details supplied); his plans to intervene to ensure the timely completion of such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6433/19]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Delivery of social housing is achieved using a range of different delivery programmes and financing arrangements. This includes supporting both local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to engage with contractors for the construction of new social housing homes.

Details of the loan finance arrangements of contractors would not be known to my Department. I understand that the specific company referred to by the Deputy was experiencing serious financial difficulties and following a series of hearings at the High Court the company successfully exited Examinership on 15 November 2018.

Neither I, as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, nor my Department, is a party to any contract with this company. I understand that the relevant AHBs and local authorities are working with the company to progress the delivery of the much needed new social housing homes across the 4 projects involved; indeed one of the projects has already been completed. While there are likely to be delays in the completion of some of the other 3 projects, I am satisfied that the local authorities and AHBs concerned are pursuing all relevant avenues to minimise such delays and to expedite progress.

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