Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2017
114. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will include Part V units in the tenant purchase scheme in view of the fact their exclusion appears to be discriminatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provide for a number of specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including units provided to Local Authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, houses specifically designed for older persons, group Traveller housing and houses provided to facilitate people with disabilities transferring from institutional care to community-based living.
The provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, are designed to enable the development of mixed tenure sustainable communities. Part V units are excluded from the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme to ensure that units delivered under this mechanism will remain available for people in need of social housing support and that the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time. The continued development of mixed tenure communities remains very important in promoting social integration.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and reaffirmed in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of operation of scheme is currently being undertaken by my Department. Any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary, based on the evidence gathered as part of the review, will be brought forward. I expect this review to be completed by the end of Quarter 1 2017.
