Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
220. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of all changes to the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme that have come into effect since February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has issued revised guidelines to local authorities in respect of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme, to take into account the changes to the scheme that came into effect in 2022; if these guidelines are publicly available; if not, his plans for their publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62894/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to update the application form for the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme, in light of recent changes made to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62895/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 2021 review of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is publicly available; if not, his plans to publish the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62896/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 223, inclusive, together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. Amendments on foot of the review came into effect on 1st February 2022.
The amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, can qualify to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so.
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.
Decisions regarding several of the review's recommendations will be made in due course. I will consider publishing the review thereafter, as appropriate.
The revised scheme guidelines, and a Ministerial Direction, were issued to local authorities on 29 September 2022, while an updated sample application form was provided on 17 October 2022. The guidelines are available online at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/f7fda-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-incremental-tenant-purchase-scheme-2016/
