Richard Bruton
Ceist:261 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the provision, if any, he has made in the 1999 Estimates to raise the income threshold or the rent subsidy in the shared ownership scheme. [25650/98]
Written Answers - Shared Ownership Scheme.
A significant improvement to the income eligibility limit for the shared ownership scheme, equivalent to an increase from £15,000 to £20,000 for a single income household, was introduced in April last under the Government's Action on House Prices package and I have no proposals, at this stage, for a further increase. I am, however, keeping the terms of the scheme generally, including the level of rent subsidies available to lower income households, under review to ensure that they remain relevant in changing circumstances.
The 1999 Estimates are based on the operation of the scheme under its current terms. This does not, however, rule out the possibility of introducing any improvements that may be appropriate.