Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
601. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the introduction of the amendment to the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 in order to alter the tenant purchase scheme to allow pensioners purchase their local authority home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2309/22]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. Applicants must meet certain minimum criteria, including minimum reckonable income and minimum time in receipt of social housing supports, to be eligible.
The scheme was reviewed in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments in 2021, with amendments to these criteria subsequently approved by Government.
The minimum reckonable income required has been reduced from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, will be eligible to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised, from one to ten years.
These changes come into effect from 1st February 2022.
