Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
627. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the greater Drogheda area is not included in the €220,000 valuation bracket under the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57910/12]
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 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.
Householders seeking to avail of the mortgage to rent scheme must:
- have been involved in the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) with their lender and agree that they can no longer afford to pay their mort gage loan now or in the future;
- own the property they live in, with a current market value of less than €220,000 in the Dublin area or less than €180 ,000 in the rest of the country;
- have their property in good condition, in a suitable location and which must suit their current needs;
- not own any other property or have assets in excess of €20,000;
- have household income not exceeding €25,000, €30,000 or €35,000 a year, depending on what part of the country they live in (household income in this context is net of taxes and social insurance (PRSI));
- the borrower must have a long-term right to remain in Ireland.
The current market value of €220,000 applies chiefly to the greater Dublin area, but also to adjoining areas with commensurate property value levels. The lower current market value of €180,000 applies to all other areas. The greater Drogheda area is deemed to fall into the latter category.
