Vol. 490 No. 5
229 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of persons on a county by county basis seeking rehousing; the number likely to be housed in 1998 from this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10797/98]
230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will initiate an emergency housing programme to combat the large number of people whose housing needs are not likely to be met in the next two years. [10798/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
I refer to my reply to Priority Question No. 54 of 3 February 1998.
232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the shared ownership maximum loan limits are currently unlikely to be sufficient to purchase any house in the greater Dublin area and the greater part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10800/98]
Shared owners must purchase at least a 40 per cent share in the house and that portion will normally be funded by way of the required deposit of £1,000 and a mortgage loan from the local authority, but cash may be contributed if the applicant is in a position to do so. The actual maximum house price amount for which an applicant will be approved by local authorities, which are responsible for administering the scheme in their areas, would depend on the individual's circumstances and ability to meet the financial commitments involved. The income limit for eligibility for shared ownership has been increased, in the context of the Government's Action on House Prices, to £20,000 for a single income household with appropriate increase for two income households. This will increase significantly the maximum house price which eligible shared owners would be in a position to purchase.
