Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing a rent to buy system on the tenant purchase scheme in view of the fact that persons are having difficulties in obtaining mortgages due to the current economic crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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There are no proposals currently to introduce a 'rent to buy' scheme for tenant purchase of local authority dwellings.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the incremental purchase scheme is on track to commence next year; in view of the fact that the scheme only applies to new houses, when will these houses be built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8940/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 2009 provides for an incremental purchase scheme in respect of newly – built houses reserved by housing authorities for the purpose. Regulations to implement the Incremental Purchase Scheme for new homes were made in June 2010. The scheme is available to all housing authorities.

It is acknowledged that the current economic climate, reduced demand for house purchase including purchase by local authority tenants, constraints on availability of credit to applicants and a scale back of new-build local authority houses have all combined to limit the potential of the scheme at present.

It remains the intention, as previously announced, that the 1995 tenant purchase scheme for houses will be wound down in 2012 to be replaced by a new scheme based on the incremental purchase model. This change will require amending legislation.