Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to facilitate local authority tenants who are over 55 years, unable to avail of life assurance and wish to purchase their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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While local authorities must operate prudentially in regard to approving housing loans, they are not necessarily prevented from making a loan to a borrower who cannot obtain mortgage protection insurance because he or she by reason of health or age would not be acceptable to an insurer. Accordingly, the limitation of cover in the standard local authority mortgage protection scheme to persons aged at least 18 but less than 55 does not necessarily preclude the approval of loans to persons of 55 years or older. The requirements of private lending institutions in relation to life assurance are a matter for these institutions themselves and my Department has no role in this regard.