This is a very important matter. Many elderly people and people of modest means, some of whom have been local authority tenants for over 40 years, have expressed grave concern at the fact that they will not be in a position to purchase their homes under the new tenant purchase scheme. They were allowed to do so under all previous schemes.
Many of these people could have purchased their homes under the millennium scheme in Dublin in 1988, but they decided not to do so. They have had to wait until now for another opportunity but find that they have been excluded for the first time. The local authorities are turning them down in large numbers. As I said, elderly people and people of modest means were not prevented under the provisions of any previous scheme from purchasing their own home. In the past if a local authority was of the view that a person would not be in a position to meet the repayments, which were modest, and if a son or daughter said that they would help their parents to purchase the house, the local authority allowed the deal to go ahead. However, that is no longer the case.
This is a tragedy. Many tenants have paid for their homes many times over. Some have been tenants for between 40 and 50 years. Indeed, some entered the houses in Crumlin, which are now almost 50 years old as brides and now find they cannot purchase their homes which represent their only potential asset to be passed on to their families. This is an indication that there is one law for most of us and another for the rest. Most people aspire to own their own home and for most of us it is the biggest single asset that we will pass on to our families. The current terms of the local authority sales scheme must be amended because large numbers of old people are excluded.
As a member of a local authority, I am fed up getting replies from HEOs who are expected to operate the system, but the politicians are aware of the effect this new scheme has had. I have no doubt that no one sat down to ensure that those who have been tenants for 40-50 years will not have the right to purchase, but as a result of these regulations many tenants will not be able to pass on their homes to their children.
It might be argued that there is a need for housing stock. If there is a need for housing stock we should build houses and not rob the widow who cannot afford to purchase her home. These people should not be denied their right to purchase.
I tabled a question for written reply, but it offered no hope. It was stated that any tenant who does not obtain a loan from a commercial lender may apply to the local authority and that it is a matter for the local authority in each case to decide if the applicant has the means to meet the loan repayments, but that is not what the local authorities are saying. They are saying that they are not allowed to do this under the scheme.
I will take to Dublin Corporation the reply that I received to the question I tabled for written reply yesterday and the reply I receive to this debate, because I want this matter to be brought to an end as it is grossly unjust and unfair. I hope that is what the Minister will do tonight.
