Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
1356. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is restricting Meath County Council from issuing Rebuilding Ireland home loans that have been assessed by the council and the Housing Agency and recommended for approval such as in the case of a person (details supplied). [12824/19]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is a mortgage scheme for first-time buyers which has been available nationwide through local authorities from 1 February 2018.
When the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was initially being developed, it was estimated that the drawdown of loans under the scheme would be approximately €200 million over three years. The scheme has proven to be far more successful than originally anticipated, and the level of funding issued by local authorities to end January 2019 is approximately €106m, which is ahead of initial estimates for the scheme.
I am currently in discussions with the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform regarding further funding for the scheme. Specific allocations to local authorities for 2019 will be finalised when those discussions have concluded. In the meantime, the scheme remains open and all local authorities should continue to receive and process applications.
With regards to the individual application in question, Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister's power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions should not be construed as enabling the Minister to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. I am, therefore, precluded from intervening in relation to individual cases.
