Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 5

Written Answers. - Shared Ownership Scheme.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

169 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many potential house purchasers in Dublin, approved for local authority loans under the shared ownership scheme, are being bypassed by estate agents on a regular basis even when they are the highest bid-der for a house due to the long delays by local authorities in approving and finalising the closing of sales; the action, if any, he will take to eliminate this avoidable additional problem confronting potential houses purchasers in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The administration of the shared ownership scheme in the Dublin area is the responsibility of the local authorities. I understand that in a small number of cases some estate agents have been reluctant to deal with intending purchasers under the scheme. My Department has impressed on the local authorities the necessity for prompt processing of applications under the scheme and will continue to do so. I also understand that arrangements have been made by the Dublin local authorities to speed up the processing of shared ownership transactions and that these efforts are continuing.