Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if and when he plans to increase the limits on the shared ownership scheme, in view of the huge number of young people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, and the increase in inflation and cost of living since the last increase was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15807/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 414 of 22 April 2008. The income and loan limits applying in relation to local authority housing loans are currently under review.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce an incremental purchase scheme for non-council tenants in order to allow people on lower incomes to access home ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15808/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's housing policy statement, Building Homes, Sustaining Communities, signalled the intention to introduce an incremental purchase scheme. The objective of the proposed scheme is to make it possible for households with incomes lower than those required for affordable housing to gain access to home ownership, through making new local authority housing available for purchase by existing social housing tenants (local authority, voluntary and Rental Accommodation Scheme) and prospective local authority tenants.

The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is expected to be published during the present Dáil session, will include provisions to give effect to the incremental purchase scheme. In parallel with this, arrangements for the introduction of the scheme, including the possible piloting of it in certain areas, are being considered.