Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 388: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to make provision in the voluntary housing schemes for the purchase of individual houses by tenants; and the matters that were agreed under the housing policy framework, Building Sustainable Communities, to pilot a tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes under the scheme. [5696/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are working in close co-operation to deliver an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types to meet the needs of low-income families and persons with special housing needs.

There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes sector 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 is expected to commence Second Stage very shortly, includes provisions for the introduction of an incremental purchase scheme. The issues arising in relation to the introduction of such a scheme for the voluntary housing sector are being considered in consultation with the Irish Council for Social Housing.