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Social and Affordable Housing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 April 2007

Thursday, 5 April 2007

Questions (20)

Ivor Callely

Question:

17 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the success or otherwise of the measures in place and operated by the local authorities to assist people in purchasing their own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13256/07]

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Written answers

The Government consider that home ownership should be made available to as many people as possible where this is their preferred option. Local authorities play a key role supporting paths to home ownership for lower income groups. Over 23,000 households were assisted through all measures between 2002 and 2006 with activity in 2006 up over 30% on the 2002 figure.

This includes paths from social housing such as tenant purchase and mortgage allowance, as well as house purchase loans. The new incremental purchase scheme announced in Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities will provide a new option in this area.

In more recent years, there has been an emphasis on the provision of affordable housing. The Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) is assisting authorities to increase the delivery of affordable housing. The AHP and local authorities are working to deliver some 17,000 new affordable homes over the period 2007 to 2008.

It is evident that the needs of a broad range of home purchasers are being addressed through these schemes. I am satisfied that they provide a strong foundation for achieving the Government's ambitious targets for the delivery of support to home purchasers in the coming years.

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