Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not know of any plans to change the scheme relating to local authority loans in terms of getting two refusals and so forth. I have some concerns about cases in which people have been refused loans even though one would be of the view that they should be in a position to repay them. I am trying to ascertain whether that must be examined. We must be very careful about these things because we do not wish to lend to people who will not have the ability to repay a loan, but I think it must be re-examined every now and then to ascertain whether it is too strict. People will generally say that if one gets a refusal from two banks or building societies, one is quite likely to be refused by the local authority as well. That is something on which I wish to make inquiries. The members would probably all be aware of cases in which one would be of the opinion that the people concerned would have the ability to repay and that, rather than have them privately renting or renting from a council, they should be given fair consideration in terms of purchase.