Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 2

Written Answers. - Shared Ownership Loans.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has any plans to improve or expedite the process of shared ownership loans; if his attention has been drawn to delays associated with such applications; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that applicants for such loans are at a disadvantage in the market due to delays in initial processing and even greater delays with final approval and close of sale, in many cases resulting in loss of purchase and general lack of confidence arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10331/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The administration of the shared ownership scheme is a matter for each local authority, which should have procedures in place to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible. I am aware that delays have been experienced by applicants under the scheme in the case of some local authorities. In this regard, authorities have been requested by my Department, most recently in October 2000, to actively promote the scheme and, in particular, to ensure that applications are processed as expeditiously as possible.

Question No. 104 answered with Question No. 101.