Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
358. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if recent changes have been made to the tenant purchase scheme; if so, if these changes need to be ratified by each council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11306/22]
View answerThe Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.
The scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. The Government approved a number of amendments to the scheme on foot of the review and these came into effect from 1st February 2022.
The minimum reckonable income required under the scheme 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 do not need to be ratified by local authorities.
