Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
279. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider changes to the tenant purchase scheme that would result in the inclusion of Part V properties in the scheme; and his views on whether the current rules, by which tenants of Part V properties cannot engage in the tenant purchase scheme, are grossly unfair. [31521/20]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, are designed to enable the development of mixed tenure sustainable communities. Part V homes are excluded from the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 to ensure that homes delivered under this mechanism will remain available for people in need of social housing support and that the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time. The continued development of mixed tenure communities remains very important in promoting social integration.
Local authorities may also, within the provisions of the Regulations, exclude certain houses which, in the opinion of the authority, should not be sold for reasons such as proper stock or estate management. It is a matter for each individual local authority to administer the Scheme in its operational area in line with the over-arching provisions of the governing legislation for the scheme, and in a manner appropriate to its housing requirements.
A review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation was undertaken. The review incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. The position of those who were tenants in Part V units prior to the introduction of the scheme is a matter for consideration.
I would hope to be in a position to publish the review and finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on all social housing reform measures is complete.
