Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2017
289. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he is taking to address the anomaly whereby persons on certain social protection payments are excluded from accessing mortgages through their local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47472/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions governing the operation of the standard annuity House Purchase Loan provided by local authorities to first-time buyers are set out most recently in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 408 of 2012). To support local authorities in operating their housing loan scheme in a consistent and efficient manner, the Housing Agency provides a central credit assessment service to local authorities. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the relevant statutory credit policy that underpins the scheme. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with this statutory credit policy in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and local authorities as lenders alike.
The Local Authority House Purchase Loan is not, as a general rule, available to those whose sole income relies on social welfare benefits. However, where there is a primary income of a permanent waged or salaried nature and where the secondary income is from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP), then long-term social welfare payments can be considered, provided that the long-term nature of the payment is confirmed by the DEASP or other relevant Government Department.
