Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of successful applications for provisional loan approval under the shared ownership scheme which were made for each local authority in 2004; the further number which have been made to date; the number of loans which were issued for each year and by each local authority; his plans to extend the scheme or to increase publicity for it; the upper limit of house value for each local authority area; his further plans to increase the upper limit of house value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30311/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Information for 2004 and up to June 2005, on the number of loan approvals and loans paid under the shared ownership scheme, which were made by each local authority, is set out in the following table: The income eligibility and maximum loan limits applying to the shared ownership scheme were reviewed and increased substantially in July 2004 and these are kept under continuous review. Implementation of the terms of the scheme, including its promotion, are matters for individual local authorities. Notwithstanding this, my Department's website contains full details of the various affordable housing schemes available, including the shared ownership scheme, in an easy to follow format. In addition, there are simplified brochures available on the various schemes which are currently also being updated. Individual local authorities also provide publicity on the schemes through their own websites.

The information sought on upper limits of house values is not available to my Department. While the maximum loan which may advanced by a local authority in respect of the share of the dwelling being purchased — minimum 40% — is €165,000 the cost of the dwelling may, of course, exceed this subject to the borrower's income being sufficient to meet the financial commitments involved.

I intend to continue support of the shared ownership scheme as an important instrument in the provision of affordable housing.