Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 1996

Vol. 472 No. 1

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

187 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment the maximum levels of finance available and the applicable ceiling for earnings of an applicant pertaining to public housing policy and in relation to the shared ownership scheme and the local authority mortgage; the circumstances, if any, in relation to either of these schemes where the earnings ceiling may be raised or reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22714/96]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

Housing authorities are not required to apply an income limit in determining eligibility for local authority housing, although some authorities may do so.

The income limit for shared ownership and local authority house purchase loans is based on a formula of two and a half times the principal income in the preceding income tax year, plus once any subsidiary income in the same period. To be eligible, the product of this formula should not exceed £35,000. Full details of the formula and examples of its application in different circumstances are contained inSocial Housing—The Way Ahead, copies of which are in the Oireachtas library. No income limit applies in the case of approved applicants for local authority housing, local authority tenants and tenant purchasers who surrender their dwelling to the authority and tenants for more than one year of houses provided by voluntary housing bodies under the rental subsidy scheme who surrender their dwelling to the voluntary body.

My Department has not specified a maximum level of finance which may be advanced under the shared ownership system; however, the housing authority must be satisfied that the applicant's income is sufficient to meet the loan repayments and the rent. The maximum local authority house purchase loan currently available is £33,000, other than on specified offshore islands where the maximum is £35,000.