Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 2

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

126 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider introducing a scheme to allow tenants of rental subsidy scheme houses to purchase their houses on an individual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/00]

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

The rental subsidy scheme does not provide for the purchase of houses by tenants. This issue was considered in the past and it was found that a tenant purchase scheme for rental subsidy housing would not be feasible as the sale of individual housing would undermine the capacity and resources of voluntary housing bodies to manage and maintain their estates and continue to provide further housing projects to meet pressing needs.

Residents of rental subsidy houses of more than one year's duration who wish to become owner-occupiers may, however, on surrendering their house to the approved body, qualify for the following benefits available to local authority tenants surrendering their houses to the authority: special mortgage allowance of £4,500 over five years to assist with mortgage repayments; the shared ownership system without having to satisfy the income eligibility criteria; improvement works in lieu; low cost housing sites, and exemption from the income limit for local authority housing loans.

Full details of these options are available from local authorities who are responsible for administering the rental subsidy scheme in their areas.