Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 958: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the criteria in respect of the affordable housing scheme to deal with issues such as changing mortgage provider, change in family circumstances, application of clawback, length of tenure and other matters. [11553/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is being considered in the context of the Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which is currently being drafted. I expect that this Bill will be published in the current Dáil session.

The requirement for a clawback is necessary to ensure there is no short-term profit taking on the resale of houses provided under the various affordable housing schemes at a discount from market value. There are no plans to rescind the clawback arrangements under the existing schemes.

The various affordable housing schemes are designed primarily to assist first-time purchasers. I will continue to monitor the affordable schemes closely to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the target groups for which they are designed.