Housing Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Questions (159)

Gerald Nash

Question:

159. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will publish updated guidance to facilitate a transition period for the changes to the tenant purchase scheme pursuant to SI. No.776 of 2021 Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2021; if his Department will facilitate flexibility in respect of tenants who had commenced the application process to purchase their homes prior to 1 February 2022 but who have not been in receipt of housing support for the new period of ten years and are now no longer eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12040/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Tenant 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 criteria, including minimum reckonable income and minimum time in receipt of social housing supports, to be eligible.

The Government has recently reduced the minimum reckonable income required under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. Similarly, the length of time an applicant must be in receipt of social housing supports to qualify under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years. These changes came into effect on 1 February 2022.

Applications received by local authorities prior to 1 February 2022 should be assessed with reference to the regulations and requirements in place at the time, with applications received after 1 February 2022 assessed in accordance with the new requirements.

Local authorities have been formally advised of the key changes and revised guidance will issue shortly.

Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 140.