Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33897/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Affordable housing is privately owned housing and, as such, is subject to the fluctuations of the market. Affordable purchasers are therefore in the same position as other private purchasers in this regard. The terms and conditions of the various affordable housing schemes and the regulations governing local authority loans do not prohibit an affordable home owner from renting a spare room in his/her home though a local authority is likely for good reason to attach conditions to the contract with the purchaser in relation to subletting of the entire unit and its use by the purchaser as his/her normal place of residence. However, 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, the legislation provides for the amount of the clawback payable to be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid that result. A range of supports are available where a household is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, whether from a local authority or private lender. It is important to make early contact with the lender when these difficulties emerge.