Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Most people and most families would like to own their own home.That is a credible ambition for most people. Unfortunately, under the tenant purchase scheme, people who live in what are called Part V houses, that is, houses provided under Part V of the legislation, are excluded from that option. This clearly discriminates against those who live in such properties. Amending the tenant purchase scheme would facilitate a positive transfer of wealth to a section of society which does not always have the opportunity to purchase a home. There are more than 4,000 Part V houses in the country, of which approximately 160 are in counties Monaghan and Cavan. I have been contacted by many young families who are heartbroken because those living in Part V houses are prohibited from buying out their home under the tenant purchase scheme. Unfortunately, the dream of owning their home is out of their reach until this scheme is amended.

Not everyone living in a Part V house will wish to purchase their home but the legislation needs to be amended for those who wish to do so. I know of many families who, when allocated a Part V house a number of years ago, did not realise the legislation prevented them from buying their property. In many housing estates around the country people in Part V houses living alongside other local authority tenants see neighbouring tenants who wish to buy their properties do so, while they are not allowed that luxury.

The sale of Part V houses would generate much needed income for the State which could be ring-fenced for housing in each local authority area. It would also save local authorities money in the long run as there would be no need for ongoing maintenance. I earnestly ask that the Government change the regulations to allow people in Part V houses to purchase them if they wish to do so. Those who dream of owning their own home, many of whom have spent money on the houses they rent and are keeping them very well, would like the option to purchase.

I raised this issue 12 months ago and the Minister of the day indicated a report on the tenant purchase scheme was imminent and would be published shortly. That was November last year and we are still waiting for that report to be published. I would like the Minister of State, if possible, to give us an update on the report and provide assurance to those people living in Part V houses that the dream of owning their own home, if they wish to purchase their home, will be within reach.

I also ask the Minister of State to comment on the position regarding people living in houses provided by social housing bodies as I understand they are also prohibited from purchasing their properties. I ask her to comment on the thresholds for those who qualify for social housing. There are some discussions under way in that respect. I understand the thresholds will be raised, as they must be, to allow more people to avail of social housing or local authority housing, where possible. I look forward to the Minister of State’s response.