Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 4

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of persons who applied for shared ownership loans through the local authorities in each of the past five years; the number approved; and the average time taken to process this from initial application to close of sale. [6468/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

127 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action, if any, he will take to speed up the processing by the local authorities of shared ownership loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6469/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.

Information on the number of applications received, approvals for shared ownership issued and transactions completed is published in my Department's annual housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The provisional figures for 1998 are 2,962 applications, 980 approvals and 805 completed transactions.

The scheme is administered entirely by local authorities and, consequently, information is not available in my Department as to the average time taken to process applications. My Department has impressed on the local authorities the necessity for prompt processing at all stages of applications under the scheme.