Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2735. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the report on the tenant incremental purchase scheme 2016 will be published; the reason for the delay; his plans to implement its recommendations; when he plans to make changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34466/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2736. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses sold under the tenant incremental purchase scheme 2016 to date by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2735 and 2736 together.
In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations. In finalising the report some further inter-Departmental consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.
With regards to the number of sales made under the scheme, operation of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 is a matter for individual local authorities, in line with relevant legislation, including the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. Local authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions.
My Department does, however, publish information on the sale of local authority houses each year which can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
The number of houses sold under the Scheme during 2016 can be found at this link. I expect to be in a position to publish data in relation to sales for 2017 shortly.
