Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2019
461. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority houses sold under the tenant purchase scheme by each local authority since the scheme was introduced; the number of applications received by each local authority that were refused; the reason for refusal in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53572/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra472. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the tenant purchase scheme will be finalised; his plans to improve the criteria of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53829/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 472 together.
My Department publishes information on the sale of local authority houses each year. This information can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics
Data for 2019 sales will be published when they become available. This is expected to be towards the end of quarter 1 2020.
The operation of the current Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned, in line with legislation, including the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. As my Department does not routinely collate information on the number of tenant purchase applications made or refused, the data requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
In line with the commitment given in the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, a review of the operation of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase (Incremental) Scheme has been recently finalised and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations.
I intend to bring a comprehensive package of social housing reform measures to Government in the near future and the review of the Tenant Purchase Scheme will be published as part of that process.
