asked the Minister for the Environment if he will issue guidelines to local authorities setting out the criteria for farmers and self-employed people who do not have P.60 tax forms and who apply for loans to the Housing Finance Agency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Housing Loans for Farmers.
434.
The question of what guidelines should be issued to local authorities in connection with the Housing Finance Agency scheme is a matter for consideration by the agency in the first instance. I understand that the agency has notified local authorities that self-employed persons, including farmers, should be required to submit certified accounts to establish (a) their eligibility under the scheme; (b) the maximum loan for which they may qualify and (c) the maximum repayment they are required to make in the first year of the loan. Thereafter, they are required to submit annual certified accounts for the purpose of determining the amount of their annual repayment.
Since the inception of the scheme, the agency has discussed the question of possible alternative methods for the assessment of farmers' incomes for the purposes of the scheme with interested bodies, including the Irish Farmers' Association, but no alternative method has been proposed so far by the bodies. I understand that the agency is willing to consider any proposals that may be put to it in the matter.