John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the programme for Government and Rebuilding Ireland with specific reference to the Rebuilding Ireland home loan. Last week, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government indicated when questioned about the home loan scheme that it remained open, was not frozen and that all local authorities had been advised to continue to receive and process applications. I was very happy with that response and informed a constituent of mine who, unfortunately, wants to move out of the Dublin area because it is unaffordable to buy here, even with the scheme. She approached a local authority and her response is as follows:

I have just got off the phone to Meath County Council which says it is not accepting any applications until they receive their allocation for 2019. They will not receive applications by post. All meetings have to be face to face and they will not be booking them in until the scheme is reopened.

I reflected then on the content of the Minister's statement. He said that local authorities had been "advised" to continue. I ask the Government now to instruct local authorities to receive applications. This is a State-run scheme which they are facilitating and they should not be in a position to refuse.

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