Vol. 520 No. 1
247 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if consideration will be given to a unified shared ownership scheme throughout the four local authority areas of Dublin in an effort to improve the workings of the shared ownership scheme; if he has given consideration to increasing the maximum loan that applies to this scheme as a result of house price inflation in the private market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14869/00]
The administration of the shared ownership scheme, subject to the conditions laid down by my Department, is a matter for each individual local authority. In that regard, authorities are free to liaise with each other regarding its administration. The operation of the scheme is kept under review by my Department and the adequacy of loan limits forms part of the review process.
248 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the 20% social housing provision which is part of the Planning and Development Bill, 1999, relates to housing co-operatives and voluntary housing associations who acquire land and who in turn sell housing units to their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14870/00]
Part V of the Planning and Development Bill, 1999, will require that a specified percentage, of up to 20%, of land zoned for residential use must be made available for social and affordable housing. The land affected will be valued at existing use value and not market value. The Bill provides that the specified percentage of land must be transferred to the local authority or, alternatively, that developers may enter into an agreement with the local authority to provide social and affordable houses themselves. Where land is transferred to the local authority the Bill expressly provides that that land can then be made available for approved voluntary housing associations or co-operatives. Part V will, therefore, facilitate the provision of land to voluntary housing associations and co-operatives.
Where a housing co-operative or voluntary housing association purchases land to which a social and affordable housing condition applies, the requirement to transfer land at existing use value to the local authority or to transfer houses will apply. In such a situation, given the similar objectives of the voluntary housing association or housing co-operative and the local authority, it is likely the option of transferring houses rather than land will apply. Where houses are transferred, the Bill provides that the local authority pays a price for the houses based on the site costs calculated on existing use value and agreed building and attributable development costs including profit on costs.
