Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1569. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason a person with a stamp 4 visa is excluded from accessing the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19576/19]
View answerLocal authorities may issue Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans (RIHL) in accordance with the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018 and the credit policy issued under the Regulations. The Housing Agency provides a central assessment service for the authorities and makes recommendations to them as to whether or not to approve loan applications. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee to make on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the credit policy and have regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants. Under the credit policy, applicants must either be citizens of an EU or EEA country, or have a legal right to remain in the State on a long-term basis.
Loan applicants who are dissatisfied with a loan application decision of a local authority Credit Committee may appeal that decision to the local authority. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
