Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 351: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the clawback provisions regarding affordable houses will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45429/09]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 353: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 replaces the clawback provision with the State taking an equity share in the property and allowing the purchaser to buy out the remaining equity in steps or at the end of a fixed period, in view of the current economic climate; if this measure will be available to owners under the existing affordable housing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45441/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 353 together.

Houses sold to first time buyers under the various affordable housing schemes at a significant discount from market value contain a clawback provision, in order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house, to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes. There are no plans to abolish the claw-back arrangements for owners of homes already purchased under the existing affordable housing schemes.

Provision has been made in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 for the introduction of new Affordable Dwelling purchase arrangements to replace existing affordable housing schemes. Under these, 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.

This new provision has not yet been commenced and I am keeping the timing of its commencement under review having regard to the evolution of the housing market generally. Until the new arrangements are formally commenced, the existing clawback arrangements will continue to apply in relation to the purchase of affordable housing.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 352: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of units provided under the social housing leasing initiative broken down by local authorities and housing associations and their locations; the number of proposed units under consideration under the initiative; and the timeframe for the occupation of same. [45431/09]

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

To date, some 1,660 units, across 23 housing authority areas, have been approved by my Department under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative. This comprises 1,309 properties in respect of which full funding approval has issued and a further 351 units in respect of which provisional approval has issued. A further 23 proposals are also under consideration by my Department.

A breakdown by housing authority and approved housing body of the 1,660 properties in respect of which approval has been issued is set out in the following table.

The timeframe for the occupation of these units will vary from project to project dependent on the pace of negotiations and whether the necessary legal agreements have been finalised. Breakdown by housing authority

Breakdown by approved housing body