Vol. 440 No. 4
56 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for the Environment the success or otherwise of the tenant purchase scheme; the proposals, if any, he has to reconstruct the scheme so that social welfare recipients can be considered for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Tenants of local authority dwellings, excepting certain limited categories of dwellings, principally those provided for and occupied by elderly persons, are entitled to purchase under the scheme announced last year. Substantial discounts, from a minimum of £3,000 up to 30 per cent of the value of the dwelling, are provided in order to bring purchase within the reach of tenants. As in the case of previous purchase schemes, only those who can afford the repayments will be in a position to purchase. Mortgage loans to finance the full nett purchase price, after discounts and allowances, may be obtained from either the local authority or a commercial mortgage lender. Any tenant who does not obtain a loan from a commercial lender may apply to the local authority and it is a matter for the authority in each case to decide if the applicant has the means of making the loan repayments.
The administration of the scheme in their area is the responsibility of the relevant local authority who are required to consider all applications on their merits. I am satisfied that the scheme, which is ongoing, is well-balanced and there are no proposals to amend it.
