Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to put mechanisms in place whereby persons who are listed as owners of a house but who are separated and whose partner and children live in the house can apply for social housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41437/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Decisions on the eligibility of specific persons for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned.

Regulation 22 of Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provides that an applicant household for long-term social housing support is ineligible for such support if a household member owns alternative accommodation that it could reasonably be expected to use to meet its housing need, either by occupying it or by selling it and using the proceeds to secure suitable accommodation. For this reason, if either member of a separated couple applies, local authorities require evidence of legal separation or divorce before considering a household's eligibility for long-term social housing support, as the separation agreement will provide certainty regarding ownership of property.

Authorities have been given guidance on these provisions by my Department and by the Housing Agency and take account of them when making decisions on social housing assessment applications. I acknowledge, however, that situations may exceptionally arise that may not easily be dealt with under the current Regulations. My Department is currently reviewing the social housing assessment provisions and will consider what wider discretion might be given to housing authorities to address the individually difficult and complex cases which may present to them.

Question No. 548 answered with Question No. 526.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, with respect to the 2,000 housing units to be made available for social housing by name, this number represents actually identified units or a target to be reached; the local authority areas in which these units are located; the dates upon which the corresponding 2,000 tenancies are due to commence; the length of the proposed leases; the average cost per unit to the local authority or voluntary housing authority per unit; if he is seeking additional units above the 2,000 from National Asset Management Agency in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41466/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The 2,000 figure relates to the actual number of properties identified by NAMA as being available for social housing. Some of these units may, however, prove to be unsuitable for social housing for a variety of reasons. Where this arises I would expect alternative units to be provided so that by year end the target of 2,000 NAMA properties has been reached and, if possible, exceeded.

The breakdown of the properties identified for social housing is set out in the following table.

Table: List of Potential NAMA Properties for Social Housing

The units being advanced by NAMA will be provided through the Social Housing Leasing Initiative under the standard terms and conditions that apply. Lease costs are determined by negotiation using a standard discounted market price which may vary to reflect the circumstances of a particular case and the terms of the contractual agreement.

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the tenant purchase scheme which is due to expire at the end of December 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41467/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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A new tenant purchase scheme for local authority houses under the provisions of section 90 of the Housing Act, 1966, the 2011 Tenant Purchase Scheme, was introduced in February 2011 to allow local authority tenants to avail of a discount of up to 45% on the market price of a house they are eligible to purchase under the scheme. This scheme applied only to tenants of 10 years standing or longer, and was open for applications only until the end of 2011. I do not propose to extend the closing date of the 2011 scheme which has now passed.

The 2011 scheme did not replace the existing 1995 Tenant Purchase Scheme, which remains in place and provides for a maximum discount of 30%. However, it remains the intention that the tenant purchase arrangements be wound down in 2012 to be replaced by a new scheme based on the incremental purchase model. This change will require amending legislation. Details of the proposed new scheme and the arrangements for winding down the 1995 scheme will be announced when proposals are further advanced.