2008 "Understanding Housing Finance" Seminar

The seminar was a huge success due to the expertise of the speakers Evelyn Fitzpartick, Focus Ireland; Michael Rafferty, Oaklee Housing Trust; Jackie Gilroy, Sonas Housing Association; Graham Whitehead, BoardMatch; Martin Freyne, PriceWaterhouseCoopers; and Tracey Hannon, Clann Credo. Topics covered during the seminar were the preparation of accounts / good practice for housing associations, accessing finance, board member governance responsibilities and Housing Association Performance Management (HAPM). The ICSH would like to thank the speakers and those who chaired sessions John Hannigan, Respond! Housing Association; Martin Hannigan, Dublin Simon Community and Sharon Cosgrove, Sonas Housing Association.

A special thanks to the 80 delegates who attended the seminar for their participation and feedback over the two half days.

All presentations from the ICSH Finance Seminar can now be downloaded below.

Also available at the finance seminar was a guide to Fundraising for Estate Management in Social Housing produced by Clúid Housing Association, this can be downloaded here.

Mayor of County Galway, Peter Feeney officially launched the ICSH Business Energy Saving Scheme. The new ICSH Business Energy Saving Scheme is aimed at members of the ICSH in association with Bord Gais Energy Supply. The scheme is designed solely for the business premises and communal facilities of members of the ICSH to reduce electricity costs. The ICSH would like to thank Bord Gais Energy Supply for their support through sponsorship, supply of delegate bags and raffle prizes at the seminar.

We will continue to work with Bord Gais Energy Supply and build upon the number of housing associations already signed up to the scheme. We look forward to the expansion of the scheme to domestic units in the voluntary housing sector in 2009. For more information on the ICSH Business Energy Saving Scheme please contact Margaret Coleman at margaretcoleman@icsh.ie or call 01 6618334.

The winners of the Housing Association Performance Management (HAPM) prize of three Christmas hampers was also announced at the seminar. The winner was Kilnaleck Housing Association, Co. Cavan. Mr Nicholas Baxter and Mr Sean Masterson collected their prizes.

Photo: Kathleen McKillion, ICSH Head of Development, Nicholas Baxter, Kilnaleck Housing Association, Martina Rooney, ICSH Development Officer, Sean Masterson, Kilnaleck Housing Association and John Hannigan, ICSH Treasurer.

The Bord Gais raffle took place at the seminar dinner. The winners were:

All winners are pictured with Fergus Walsh of Bord Gais and Donal McManus, Executive Director of the Irish Council for Social Housing.

The ICSH Finance Seminar is part of a future series, if you have suggestions of topics you would like covered please do not hesitate to contact margaretcoleman@icsh.ie.