Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
526. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a derogation to a family (details supplied) in County Kerry to allow the family to purchase their social house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. Applicants must meet certain criteria, including minimum reckonable income and minimum time in receipt of social housing supports, to be eligible.
The scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. The Government approved a number of amendments on foot of the review and these came into effect on 1st February 2022. Local authorities were formally advised of these amendments on 12 January 2022.
The minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme reduced 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 increased from one to ten years. Applications received by local authorities prior to 1 February 2022 should be assessed with reference to the regulations and requirements in place at the time, with applications received after 1 February 2022 assessed in accordance with the new requirements.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. I am also precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in relation to the operation of the scheme.
