I propose to take Questions Nos. 817 and 818 together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 provides for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme.
In order to be eligible, the tenant, or in the case of applications from joint tenants both tenants, must be in receipt of a social housing support (which includes the Rental Accommodation Scheme and Housing Assistance Payment) for a minimum period of 10 years. Time spent as an adult occupant of any form of social housing support is not taken into account. This requirement seeks to encourage long-term tenants to stay in their homes and support development of socially sustainable communities.
Applicants must also meet a minimum annual reckonable income of €12,500. This requirement serves a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme remains sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charging period. For these reasons, certain income is not considered reckonable when determining an applicant's primary reckonable income. This includes Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension which, for those without dependents, is currently below the minimum annual reckonable income threshold.
Schemes such as these are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are effective and sustainable. Changes to the scheme, in particular current eligibility requirements, are currently being examined as part of the Department’s work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
