Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a clear commitment in the programme for Government in respect of developing affordable loans options, although they have been very poorly developed so far. In respect of the recently published affordable loans scheme, a significant number of people have been prevented from applying, namely, those who may have had property before. It seems that only first-time buyers can apply. A person who has been separated for over two decades and who is caring for his children came to me last week. Due to the fact that he had a property back then, he is now ineligible for this scheme. People who may have lost their homes during the economic crash will likewise not be in a position to apply under the scheme. An extraordinary number of people have been excluded, wrongly in my view. Some of them will face homelessness. In the case I mentioned, the person will no longer be able to rent that house in five or six months' time. He has an option to buy a house but can only do so under the affordable scheme.

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