Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012
295. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it will be possible to amend the mortgage-to-rent rules to include persons who bought under affordable housing schemes in cases in which the county council is the mortgage lender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55227/12]
View answerOn foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a mortgage to rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was extended nationally in June 2012, targeting those low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body who in turn rent it to the original owners.
My Department has been involved in recent months in devising a mortgage to rent scheme for the local authority sector. The scheme for local authorities is currently being piloted in Westmeath County Council and Dublin City Council.
Once this pilot scheme has been completed and reviewed it is the intention to extend it to all local authorities in 2013.
