Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 7

Written Answers - Shared Ownership Scheme.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

152 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to raise the income limit for shared ownership housing applicants in view of the fact that £18,000 of income will only provide a mortgage of £45,000 and there are little or no housing units available at this price in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26228/98]

A significant improvement to the income eligibility limit for the shared ownership scheme, equivalent to an increase from £15,000 to £20,000 for a single income household, was introduced in April last under the Government's Action on House Prices package and I have no proposals, at this stage, for a further increase.

The administration of the scheme, including decisions on the level of house price which can be afforded by individual applicants, is a matter for the local authorities. However, it would not be correct to suggest that an applicant with an income of £18,000 would be confined under the scheme to a house valued at around £45,000. I understand from Dublin Corporation that a single applicant with such an income could, depending on his or her personal circumstances, be approved for a house costing more than £90,000.
Top
Share