Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

366. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason his Department is not putting pressure on an association (details supplied) to develop or renovate the ground floor of a building in County Donegal to be used for council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25525/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand from Donegal County Council that the housing project referred to by the Deputy, was developed by Respond Housing Association and provides 21 apartments for older people.  I also understand that some accommodation that was planned by the Housing Association as a 'Group Home' within the overall development, requires some additional work to make it fit for purpose.

My Department has requested Donegal County Council, which holds the mortgage on the property, to obtain proposals from the Housing Association as to how the available space can be brought into full use for social housing.  I look forward to the Council and the Housing Association identifying a way forward to make full use of the facility over and above the 21 apartments already provided.

The oversight of social housing provision in any area is the responsibility of the relevant local authority which has statutory responsibility for these matters and holds the mortgage for such Housing Associations developments.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

367. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason his Department is not putting pressure on an association (details supplied) to put tenants in a housing development at a location in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25526/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The oversight of social housing provision in any area is the responsibility of the relevant local authority which has statutory responsibility for these matters.  This responsibility includes housing provided in the operational area of a local authority by an Approved Housing Body (AHB), as the local authority will hold the mortgage for such AHB housing.  Local authorities have continuous contacts with the AHBs operating in their areas and the tenanting of social homes would be a key focus of those contacts.

I understand from Donegal County Council that the housing project referred to by the Deputy, was developed by Cluid Housing Association and there are 53 social homes involved, 37 houses and a 16 unit apartment block.  I further understand that some of the apartments were leased to the HSE who more recently, have not renewed the lease on a number of the units in the apartment block.

Where an AHB has constructed housing, the responsibility for management and maintenance of the housing is a matter for them in conjunction with the local authority.  I understand that in this case, the AHB has indicated to Donegal County Council that they need to remediate some of the housing units and my Department is very keen to see a proposal from the AHB and the Council in this regard, so the housing units can be returned to use.