Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 939: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to allow residents of voluntary housing agencies to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11242/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are working in close co-operation to deliver an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types to meet the needs of low-income families and persons with special housing needs.

There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes sector for the purchase of individual houses by tenants. However, the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, indicated that consideration would be given in consultation with the voluntary and co-operative sector, to piloting a tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes based on the incremental purchase model. The issues arising in relation to the introduction of such a scheme, including any legislative supports, are being considered in consultation with the Irish Council for Social Housing.