Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of house purchase loans offered by each of the local authorities in each of the past three years to date in 2011; the degree to which he proposes to ensure that a greater role in the provision of housing for first time purchases or housing applicants is undertaken by local authorities with particular reference to playing a major role in the housing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11593/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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House purchase loan approvals for each local authority area in 2009 are set out in the following table. Data for 2010 are being compiled at present. Data for 2011 are not yet available.

All local authority mortgage lending operates under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 and associated credit policy. These set out a maximum loan limit of €220,000 and a maximum term of 30 years.

I believe that the current regime is appropriately targeted and facilitates rather than incentivises house purchase by eligible, credit worthy first time buyers. The existing criteria are fair and adequately meet the needs of prospective borrowers, while also protecting the financial position of local authorities by adhering to prudent lending practices.