Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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386. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications and total funding sought from approved housing bodies under the land acquisition fund; how much funding has been approved and drawn down to date by AHBs; and if there are plans for future land acquisition funding for AHBs. [33850/23]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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387. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the required amendments to the section 25 (2) (b) (II) of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 (details supplied) will be introduced; and to detail any assessment that has taken place in terms of the impact of the new amending legislation on registrations. [33851/23]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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388. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government how many AHBs are currently affected by the existing wording of section 25 (2) (b) (II) of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 in terms of their ability to register. [33852/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.

As provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. On 1 January 2022 responsibility for the register of AHBs, previously managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, was transferred to AHBRA. The Authority now has responsibility for maintaining the register and for registering organisations as AHBs.

My Department is aware that the eligibility criteria, in particular Section 25(2)(b)(II), provide significant challenges to many AHBs and have been considering the issue in consultation with AHBRA. In July 2022 the timeline for registration was extended by 12 months to allow for this consideration. There are now 20 “deemed” organisations that need to formally apply for registration by 31 December 2023.

As part of the consideration of the issue, an assessment has taken place to ensure that the role of an AHB in providing housing is enshrined in their constitution whilst not making it onerous for an organisation to register.

I intend to bring forward amending legislation in the Autumn for enactment before year end as a priority.