At a meeting in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Minister Hogan and NAMA agreed that 2,000 housing units would be made available in 2012 to people on social housing lists through leasing agreements with Local Authorities and volunteering housing associations.

This decision will provide hope for individuals and families on social housing lists throughout the country on getting a new home provided by the State from properties already built but not being utilised.

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Minister Hogan and former Minister for Housing, Willie Penrose TD have put considerable pressure on NAMA in 2011 to achieve a greater social dividend in the housing area.

Minister Hogan said: "I welcome the decision by NAMA to co-operate fully with the request I made last September to engage with the Department of Environment to deliver more social housing units to the people who are on existing housing waiting lists. The agreement to provide 2,000 units is one of the largest housing allocations made in the history of the State and is a welcome Christmas boost to those most vulnerable in society."

(CD/GK)