Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 547 of 4 March 2008, if the suggested pilot tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes has been carried out; if a report has been prepared on the pilot scheme; and if it is intended to provide for tenant purchase of homes in the voluntary sector in the new Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008. [32246/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes 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 Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was published recently, includes provisions to give effect to the incremental purchase scheme. In parallel with this, arrangements for the introduction of a pilot scheme for the voluntary housing sector are being considered in consultation with the Irish Council for Social Housing. Decisions in relation to the selection of an approved housing body or specific location for the purpose of implementing the pilot project would be premature, at this stage.