Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

458 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the maximum house price of ?127,000 which Fingal County Council applies to the shared ownership scheme; his views on whether this is an unrealistic figure as houses and apartments are not available within this limit on the open market in Fingal; if he will request Fingal County Council to increase this figure to a level comparable to that which applies in the Dublin City Council area in order to facilitate greater numbers of people to buy their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22428/02]

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

Implementation and management of the shared ownership scheme is, in the first instance, a matter for each relevant housing authority. In operating the scheme, local authorities should have regard to local circumstances in determining maximum price limits or any other details they deem appropriate. I consider that these issues are best determined by individual local authorities.

I understand that Fingal County Council does not limit the cost of shared ownership properties to €127,000. In fact, I understand the council has just completed a shared ownership transaction of a property costing €137,000 and are currently acquiring a number of houses directly, which they envisage will be sold by way of shared ownership, for amounts in excess of this price.

Seán Crowe

Question:

459 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of local authority homes which are without adequate heating. [22430/02]

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

The management, maintenance and improvement of their rented dwellings, is the responsibility of local authorities who should ensure that no local authority dwelling is without adequate heating facilities.

More detailed information regarding the provision of central heating in local authority rented dwellings is set out in reply Questions Nos. 184, 203, 230, 257, 289 and 347 of 10 October 2002

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

460 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the numbers of up-take on the shared ownership scheme in the various county councils, borough councils and corporations throughout the country; if this scheme is to be continued; the councils which still have allocations in their budgets for this scheme; the councils which are still taking applications for the shared ownership scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22555/02]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

461 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the take-up numbers on the shared ownership scheme in the various county councils, borough councils and corporations throughout the country; if this scheme is to be continued; the councils which still have allocations in their budgets for this scheme; the councils which are still taking applications for the shared ownership scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22608/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together.

Implementation and management of the shared ownership scheme is, in the first instance, a matter for each relevant housing authority. Expenditure by individual local authorities on the scheme is subject to the annual capital allocations notified by my Department. Where local authorities propose to exceed this allocation they must obtain the prior approval of my Department. However, detailed information on the day-to-day operation of the scheme in individual local authorities is not available in my Department.

Details of general activity under the scheme are published in my Department's housing statistics bulletins which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Activity under the scheme has increased significantly. The number of transactions completed in 2001 was 1,611 compared to 1,190 in 2000. At the end of June 2002, 1,871 approvals in principle had issued in cases where transactions had not yet been compiled.

I intend to continue and support the shared ownership scheme as an important instrument in support of affordable housing.