Housing Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022

Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Ceisteanna (85)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

85. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the website on incremental tenant purchase scheme will be updated with the new terms and conditions (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the website has not been updated since 13 October 2021 despite the terms and condition of the scheme changing in February 2022; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the website still contains information concerning the old minimum gross annual income of €15,000 and that the information booklet for this scheme has not been updated since February 2016; when local authorities will receive updated application forms as many are still working off the 2016 terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13345/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments.

The amendments, which came into effect on 1st February 2022, include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years. While local authorities have already been formally advised of these changes, the Department also intends to issue revised guidelines shortly.

The template application form issued by my Department to all local authorities in 2016 has not been affected by recent changes and it can continue to be used to facilitate applications under the scheme. That said, local authorities may need to amend explanatory or supporting material accompanying the application form to reflect these changes. While this is generally a matter for local authorities, my Department will advise them to do so when issuing the revised guidelines.

The gov.ie website has been updated with details of the changes to the scheme. Up-to-date information on the scheme is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/12558-incremental-tenant-purchase-scheme-for-existing-local-authority-houses/ .