Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Under the 1999 affordable housing scheme, buyers can obtain a local authority loan of up to 97% of the cost of a house. Until now, the State provided all loans for affordable housing but recently we concluded a deal with the Bank of Ireland under which it will offer up to 97% of the value of houses available as part of the four affordable schemes. I believe other financial institutions will follow the bank's lead and enter the market. While the political parties and others mention various schemes, I have no further announcement to make on the issue today.

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