Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A clear path to home ownership should not be the preserve of the private market. A home is a vital asset for families and represents a positive transfer of wealth to low-income groups. Mixed-tenure housing estates are a key part of the Fianna Fáil vision for strong families and stable, thriving communities. However, the exclusion of Part V houses by the Government in its tenant purchase scheme discriminates against lower-income households in many communities. By stating that it is only the right of higher-income households in mixed communities to have an opportunity to own their own homes, in effect, the Government tenant purchase scheme isolates tenants in Part V social houses in private developments. The Bill, if accepted, will give all local authority tenants the right to make a long-term investment in their community by owning their own home. The Bill amends the primary legislation to allow local authority tenants in Part V houses the opportunity to purchase their homes.

The application of mixed tenure guidelines to refuse tenants the right to purchase their social houses in their communities, in which they may have lived for most of their lives, stigmatises those in social houses. The exclusion of such tenants is telling these families and individuals that they may never do as their neighbours do and own a home in their community. Giving all tenants the opportunity to buy in their neighbourhood is good for communities. It gives everyone a long-term stake, encouraging families to make long-term investments by participating in the communities in which they live. In my experience as a councillor for many years, I do not know of any Part V houses that came back into local authority stock. I have never seen any.

If there is any flaw in the current tenant purchase scheme, it is the provision that the tenant concerned must have been getting social housing support for one year. If that was five years, maybe it would show a greater commitment by those living in local authority houses to their area. That might be considered as well. I believe that the tenant purchase scheme discriminates against those on social welfare. I accept that the income stipulation is €15,000, but €7,500 of that must be earned income. I am aware of families in which parents who are caring for children with disabilities and special needs are receiving carer's allowance and cannot go out to work because of the care and attention they must give to their children. Those people are being discriminated against as well, and it is unfair. Those people deserve the chance to buy their homes the same as anybody else, or the same as anyone in this House or around this building. They should have the opportunity to purchase their houses. That is something that should be looked at so that we can give those people such an opportunity.

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