Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the demand among NABCO housing tenants to purchase their houses; the barriers which exist under legislation preventing tenants [i]in situ[/i] for more than ten years purchase these dwellings; his plans to change such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4227/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the question refers to housing provided by approved housing bodies with funding provided under my Department's capital loan and subsidy scheme. While there is no provision at present in the voluntary housing scheme for the purchase of individual houses by tenants, my Department indicated in the recently published document Housing Policy Framework — Building Sustainable Communities that consideration would be given, in consultation with the voluntary and co-operative sector, to pilot a tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes under the scheme.

Already, residents of more than one year's duration of houses provided under the scheme who wish to become owner-occupiers may, on surrendering their house to the approved body, qualify for the following benefits: special mortgage allowance of €11,450 over five years for mortgages created on or after 1 January 2002 to assist with mortgage repayments; the shared ownership scheme; improvement works in lieu scheme in respect of the dwelling they are acquiring; low cost housing sites schemes; and exemption from the income limit for local authority housing loans. Full details of these options are available from local authorities.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the obligations housing associations such as NABCO have towards their tenants; if same includes providing copies of end of year accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the question refers to assistance from my Department under the voluntary housing schemes.

My Department's involvement with the schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the schemes, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the schemes, are the responsibility of the local authority.

Approved housing bodies in liaison with local authorities have responsibility for the proper management of their dwellings, the operation of letting policies, fixing of rents, adequate repairs and maintenance systems to ensure the preservation of the dwellings and compliance with all relevant statutory regulations.

There is no requirement on housing associations to provide accounts specifically to tenants, however, as a company limited by guarantee, they are required to make annual returns to the Companies Registration Office and these returns are available to the general public on request. In addition, housing authorities have the right to inspect the financial accounts on projects funded under the voluntary schemes.