Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Shared Ownership Schemes.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

328 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Galway Corporation has not adhered to departmental guidelines in respect of the owner equity requirement in shared ownership schemes and they also exclude single persons from consideration for affordable housing; and the steps he can take to ensure that the corporation complies with the directive in his letter of 28 March 2001 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway which they have since declined to comply with. [13666/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Determining the eligibility of individual applicants for the shared ownership scheme and the affordable housing scheme is a matter for each local authority. From inquiries made by my Department I understand that, in operating the shared ownership scheme, Galway Corporation requires purchasers to acquire, initially, a minimum of 75% of the equity by way of mortgage. My Department has taken the matter up with the local authority which is now reviewing its requirements in the light of the fact that my Department's guidelines for the scheme provide for an initial purchase of 40% of the equity. I am informed by Galway Corporation that it is not its policy to exclude single people from consideration for the affordable housing scheme. Due to the volume of applications received for a recently completed development of three-bedroom houses under this scheme, the corporation decided to prioritise applications from those with families. The corporation has indicated that there will be more accommodation under this scheme, coming on stream in 2001, some of which will be particularly appropriate for single people.