Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The requirement for a tenant or joint tenants to have been in receipt of social housing support for ten years in order to be eligible to purchase their home under the scheme has a number of benefits. It strikes an appropriate balance between the right of social housing tenants to purchase their homes and the ability of the local authority to replenish its housing stock. It supports the development of socially sustainable communities. However, as I have outlined, the Department is currently considering the impact of the ten-year social housing support requirement for both tenants, along with other aspects of the scheme, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will consider whether the actions are appropriate on foot of the review.

I take on board what the Deputy has said about the disability housing stock. I totally understand what he is saying. Disabled people should have equal access and equal rights to be able to purchase a home, no different from anybody else.

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