Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 19 November 2008, the way he will ensure that incorporating the rental portion of shared ownership into the new scheme does not result in significant increases in the mortgage protection insurance premium paid by the low-income homeowners participating in this scheme in view of the fact that they are already paying over the odds for their insurance. [43399/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether participants in the shared ownership scheme should be able to avail of the same discounts in their mortgage protection insurance that are available to private mortgage holders, such as a non-smoker's discount, rather than being subjected to a one size fits all rate. [43400/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is appropriate that the Housing Finance Agency relies for a significant amount of its funding on the premiums charged to shared ownership participants of mortgage protection insurance in view of the likelihood that this will result and has resulted in these low-income homeowners being charged a rate significantly above that available to private mortgage holders. [43401/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 354, inclusive, together.

As indicated in the reply to Question No. 197 of 19 November 2008, a new local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme is to be put in place from 1 January 2009. It is intended that the rental portion of shared ownership will be incorporated into the new scheme.

Participation in the mortgage protection insurance scheme is compulsory and, in terms of comparison to other schemes of mortgage protection, it is important to note that it covers disability as well as death. The Mortgage Protection Committee sub-committee of the County and City Managers' Association which oversees the scheme endeavours to achieve a balance between the most economic rate to be charged for the scheme and the benefits provided.

Premiums paid under the scheme are channelled directly by the local authorities to the insurance provider. The Housing Finance Agency does not receive any income from the scheme.