Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the terms of the affordable housing scheme for persons who purchased their homes through this scheme; the way the clawback will work should they decide to sell their property and are in negative equity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23164/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Eligibility generally for the affordable housing schemes is determined on the basis that applicants are in need of housing and cannot afford to purchase a house on the open market. In the case of the Shared Ownership and 1999 affordable housing scheme, single applicants are eligible where their income in the previous tax year was €40,000 or under. In the case of a two income household, the income limit is based on the formula that 21⁄2 times the main income plus once the secondary income does not exceed €100,000.

Those with incomes greater than the limits mentioned above may be eligible for affordable housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2008. Eligibility for these purposes is determined on the basis that a person's income is insufficient to meet the mortgage repayments on a house suitable to their needs, by virtue of the fact that the mortgage payments on such accommodation would exceed 35% of the person's income after tax and PRSI.

Where a person is selling an affordable home and the clawback amount payable would reduce the proceeds of resale below the initial price actually paid, current legislation provides for the amount of the clawback payable to be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid that result.