Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact legislation is to be introduced. I make the point that this information should be given as much publicity as possible and I would like to hear further details from the Minister of State on the new scheme.

The bottom line is that local authorities do not have the funding to maintain their housing stock. In the past loans were available from local authorities but they are now very difficult to access in regard to the purchase of houses. There are some good schemes through credit unions and other financial institutions whereby loans could be given, and I hope those financial institutions will provide the money for people who want to purchase their houses.

I do not believe the Minister of State answered my query on the voluntary housing sector. There are people in such houses who feel they should have the same opportunity as tenants of local authority houses to buy out their houses. I hope that will be considered.

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