Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
218. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 304 of 22 June 2021, the reason the review is only for the first 12 months of the scheme; when the review commenced; when it is expected to conclude; if there are plans to extend the scope of the review from the first 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/21]
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. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation was undertaken. The review incorporated analysis of a wide-ranging public consultation process and comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016. The review was initially completed in 2017 but has been updated and revised since then.
More recently, the Department has examined the Review in the context of the Programme for Government commitments and the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect to be in a position to publish the review and finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
