Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
550. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 9 October 2019, if consideration has been given as to the way in which local authorities can implement the provisions outlined by section 84(5) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 for such families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in the reply referred to by the Deputy, Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 was commenced in June 2018 to provide a new statutory basis for affordable dwelling purchase arrangements. Initial Regulations in relation to schemes of priorities were made subsequently and further Regulations are being developed regarding eligibility and other matters.
Under the provisions of section 84(2)(c) of the Act, a household will normally be ineligible for an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement where the household or any household member has previously purchased or built a dwelling for his or her occupation, or for any other purpose, in the State.
However, section 84(5) provides that where a household requires to relocate to a different dwelling or different administrative area or both, section 84(2)(c) will not render a household ineligible where the household had previously purchased an affordable dwelling under Part 5 or under the previous legislative provisions in relation to affordable purchase arrangements (now repealed).
The question of whether a household "requires" to relocate would be a matter for the housing authority to determine under section 84(5). However, the need for any further detail or guidance on this matter will be considered in the context of Regulations to be made in the coming months or in guidelinesto be issued by my Department.
This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. In terms of affordable housing more generally, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of progress to date under existing measures such as the Serviced Sites Fund and the Rebuilding Ireland Homeloan and informed by the input of key delivery partners.
