Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2013
53. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency's review of the shared ownership housing scheme if he will indicate the main recommendations; the specific difficulties that have been identified; the potential financial exposures to local authorities that have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44806/13]
View answerThe Government's 2011 housing policy statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the shared ownership scheme, in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act. The review is available on my Department's website www.environ.ie.
Earlier in 2013, I asked the Housing & Sustainable Communities Agency to conduct a standalone review of the shared ownership scheme, including identification of the main difficulties and recommendations for mitigating measures. I have received an interim draft of the review from the Agency and I intend to issue a circular letter to local authorities this month with preliminary recommendations arising from the review.
A number of issues have been identified that need further detailed financial analysis in order to fully assess the impact on local authority finances of possible mitigating measures. This additional work is underway and I expect to make further determinations in the coming months. At that time consideration will be given to the publication of relevant inputs to the review process.
