Vol. 555 No. 1
233 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to develop or expand the affordable housing programme in view of the problems faced by at least 50,000 young families on housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17614/02]
The targets for completions under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the shared ownership and affordable housing schemes are 1,000 each per annum. In 2001, a total of 1,611 transactions were completed under the shared ownership scheme and a total of 272 houses were completed under the affordable housing scheme. Progress has been slower than expected under the affordable housing scheme, in part due to the time lag between land acquisition and construction and sale. However, since the introduction of a site subsidy in June 2000 the number of transactions has increased. At the end of June 2002, a total of 364 dwellings were completed, 1,848 under construction and 3,414 were in planning. I expect that at least 600 dwellings will be completed under the scheme this year.
234 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider allowing local authorities grant assistance for house alarms under the various home improvements schemes offered to older people such as the essential repairs grant and the disabled person's grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17615/02]
While the grant aiding of house alarms would not be covered under the disabled person's or essential repairs grant schemes, I understand that the Department of Social and Family Affairs administers a scheme of community support for older people which includes assistance towards the cost of installing alarm systems.
235 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a substantial number of young people who are unable to secure a mortgage from a building society or financial institution due to the fact that their income is too low and they cannot secure a shared ownership or affordable housing loan as their income is deemed to be over the limit for the scheme; and his plans to increase the income eligibility for the schemes. [17616/02]
370 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he proposes to take to ensure that middle to lower income applicants whose earnings are above the guidelines set for eligibility for shared ownership or SDA loans can have their housing requirements met since they cannot obtain a mortgage sufficient to purchase a home with particular reference to those living in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17845/02]
380 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason he has not increased the shared ownership and SDA loans with a view to addressing the housing needs of those who are willing to purchase their own homes but cannot obtain a loan sufficient from banks or building societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17856/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 370 and 380 together.
The income eligibility criteria and loan limits which apply to the shared ownership and affordable housing schemes and SDA house purchase loans have been significantly improved in recent years. While there is no proposal at present to revise these limits, my Department will keep the terms of the schemes under review.
