Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15, purchasing a one bedroom flat through Fingal County Council, who wishes to upgrade to two or three bedroom affordable housing accommodation due to the growth in their family size; if his Department has a policy of refusing people who have taken affordable housing, that have applied to trade up to a larger affordable house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18041/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Affordable housing is provided under a number of schemes viz., the Shared Ownership Scheme, the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme, Part V of the Planning & Development Acts 2000 — 2004 and under the Affordable Housing Initiative as provided for in the Sustaining Progress Partnership Agreement. These schemes are targeted to meet a range of affordable housing needs and to assist lower income households who find themselves priced out of the market. Eligibility is determined on an applicant's need for housing and their household income.

Houses are offered for sale to eligible purchasers generally at a significant discount from the market value of comparable houses in the area. The administration of the schemes, including the making and amending of a scheme of allocation priorities is a matter for each local authority in accordance with general terms and conditions set by my Department.

While current legislation provides that previous ownership of a house does not render an applicant ineligible for an affordable house, there is no provision under the schemes for upgrading to a larger house. An option for an owner/occupier of an affordable dwelling would be to sell their existing house (subject to appropriate clawback) and purchase another dwelling through re-mortgaging.

Alternatively, a person may apply again for affordable housing. However, it will be a matter for the local authority concerned to consider the priority to be given to an individual's application for further affordable housing having regard to their needs and the needs of those currently on the affordable housing lists awaiting their first homes.