Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
120. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that couples are being rejected for Rebuilding Ireland home loans due to the fact one person has to review their de facto visa once a year for five years before gaining citizenship, a policy which is not used by pillar banks; if changes will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17785/20]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties or self-build in a suitable price range.
Local 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.
