Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1070: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to review the conditions of purchase of affordable houses under Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in particular the conditions regarding claw-back and evaluations for 2008/2009. [1294/09]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1090: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that the affordable housing scheme remains viable and sustainable in the current economic climate; if he will alter any of the guidelines for such schemes to assist people trying to obtain a house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1711/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1070 and 1090 together.

My Department is reviewing the overall position in relation to the affordable housing sector against the background of the current housing market and an examination being carried out by the Affordable Homes Partnership, in conjunction with the relevant housing authorities, of the position regarding availability of affordable housing in selected areas.

As signalled by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2009, a new single streamlined scheme is to be introduced in relation to the sale of affordable housing. Under this new arrangement the purchase transaction will be largely unchanged from the affordable purchaser's perspective. However, instead of units being sold at a discounted price, with the value of the discount being subject to a reducing clawback, the State will take an equity stake in affordable units sold. The purchaser will have the option of either buying out the remaining equity in steps or at the end of a fixed period.

Initially, it is intended to apply the new arrangement to affordable housing delivered under Part V, the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme and the Affordable Housing Initiative, once the details have been finalised and the necessary legislative provision has been introduced through the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008. These new arrangements will introduce greater equity into the system, provide greater protection of the State's investment and achieve better value for money because funds can be recycled into assisting further households with affordable housing.

Full information on the revised arrangements will be made available prior to their commencement. In the interim, the existing arrangements for allocation and sale of affordable housing continue to apply. Prospective applicants for affordable homes should apply in the normal way to the local authority or local authorities in the areas in which they are interested in purchasing. The website www.affordablehome.ie also carries information on affordable housing, and many local authorities are using this facility to advertise affordable homes, including application forms, in addition to their own local advertising and ongoing contacts with applicants on their lists.