Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1407: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the financial implications of mortgage repayments for families who, as local authority tenants, enter into a tenant purchase scheme; his plans to ensure that local authorities must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the family can meet such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31116/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Housing Authorities are responsible for the operation of the tenant purchase scheme and, in assessing loan applications, they have due regard to family circumstances and the ability to service a mortgage. The issues of affordability and the ability to manage a mortgage are kept under review having regard to changing market and economic conditions.

Where difficulties arise, Article 10 of the Housing Regulations 1980 (Amendment) Regulations 1996 provides that, in the case of hardship, the loan repayment period may be extended so as to make repayments more manageable for the borrower.