TDs must have the right to question state-funded organisations

In your article ‘Bank loans “best” for homeless charities’ it is stated that I “asserted up to €500 million in funding for social housing made available by the Housing Finance Agency was left unclaimed” (Irish Examiner, August 25).

In fact it was the Sunday Times that reported this fact. I was however quoted in the report criticising Focus Ireland and the McVerry Trust for failing to apply for this funding which is available in the form of loans to housing bodies and local authorities. They and some other housing bodies have been less proactive in this regard than five housing bodies who have successfully applied for these loans and provided housing to families on housing lists.

In responding to my criticisms, both Focus Ireland and the McVerry Trust were very critical of me personally. They also suggested the terms of loans available from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to approved housing bodies are less favourable in terms of the rate of interest and the loan conditions than what they could get from commercial lending institutions. This is surprising because the rates of interest charged by the HFA compare very well with open market rates. In addition when housing bodies draw down the loans from the HFA, the Government signs a payment and availability agreement undertaking to provide the finance the housing body requires to repay the money owed. In return the housing bodies allocate the new homes to families and individuals on council housing lists.

Therefore I would be very interested to find out about more about the favourable loan terms and conditions’ that Focus Ireland and the McVerry Trust say they sourced on the open market.

I hope they deliver the social housing they promise because it is badly needed and funding is obviously not a problem for them.

However it seems a surprise to both organisations but it is not new that a public representative would raise issues about how state funded organisations approach their role.

The income of both organisations according to their most recent annual reports is made up of 60 per cent State grants and with such significant state funding as well as donations from members of the public they should be open to questions and debate about their tactics and be prepared to let the public know their plans.

As a public representative I have a right and a duty to raise issues in relation to their approach, and even to criticise them for lack of progress. I will welcome any progress they make in their capacity as housing bodies. I hope they take this on board and don’t just circle the wagons.

Joanna Tuffy TD

Dáil Éireann

Dublin 2