Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has urged local authorities to fully explore the possible usage of thousands of properties being made available by NAMA for social housing provision.

Mr Feighan said: "More than 4,000 properties are being made available nationwide by NAMA for social housing. NAMA officials have told me that confirmation of demand for these properties and the pace at which they are taken up is a matter for the relevant local authorities in conjunction with approved housing bodies.

"In my own constituency, NAMA has identified 126 residential properties in Roscommon and Leitrim as being available for social housing. However, the local authorities in Roscommon and Leitrim have yet to confirm demand for these properties.

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"Given there are almost 400 applicants currently on the approved waiting list in Leitrim for social housing support and 360 in Roscommon, I have now written to both councils asking them to investigate the possible benefits of availing of this NAMA property for those most in need of housing.

"The Government is committed to securing social housing from the NAMA portfolio and this particular initiative has already proved to be a great success. For example, Túath Housing Association used this process to acquire 66 properties in Drogheda for social housing and families are now moving into their new homes as a result of this engagement with NAMA. "This clearly highlights how successful this engagement can be to bring empty properties back into use for much needed social housing. Accordingly, I would urge every local authority, in conjunction with approved housing bodies, to explore this option to the fullest."

(CD/GK)