Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are three incremental purchase schemes currently in operation for new and existing local authority houses and for local authority apartments. The new tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses, to which the Deputy refers, came into operation on 1 January 2016 and it is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum. All tenants of houses included in the scheme who meet the eligibility criteria can apply to purchase their houses, provided they are not disqualified from doing so under the provisions of the legislation.

In line with the commitment in the new programme for a partnership Government, we intend to undertake a review of the 2016 scheme following the first 12 months of operation. We will bring forward any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage. Any relevant changes made to the 2016 scheme will, as appropriate, also be reflected in the other incremental purchase schemes. To be clear, we are open to suggested changes in that regard. The committee has recommended this as a priority area as well, and we accept and acknowledge that. The scheme has been up and running for nearly seven months at this stage. More than 73 applicants have gone through it. I agree with Deputy Cowen that it should be an aspiration for the majority of people who wish to, to avail of and eventually purchase their own home. It is something that we encourage and if we need to adjust the schemes and add more schemes, we are willing to consider and to do that. There is a commitment, as the Deputy knows, in the programme for a partnership Government that this money be reinvested to increase activity in this area so that there can be greater reinvestment in more council housing stock.

I also agree with the Deputy that we need to see whether we can expand the range of applicants who can qualify for the scheme. We must find a way to make it possible for a person with a long-term disability or who is on long-term disability benefits or allowances to aspire to owning his or her own home. We must find a solution to this because for a long time such people have been locked out of that option. I therefore fully agree with the Deputy that we should try, where possible, to make changes to the scheme. I am willing to work with the Deputy on that, together with others in this House who are genuinely concerned to do the right thing. It is something that we will work on in the months ahead.

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