Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government why a family (details supplied) in Dublin 22 is at risk of losing the family home, given that, as former local authority tenants, its members wish to purchase the home from the local authority to prevent them from becoming homeless; why they have been told that his Department will not allow the purchase of the local authority home; his views that a couple in their 60s who have worked and paid taxes their entire lives are faced with homelessness as they approach retirement; and if he will intervene to assist the family in remaining in their home as council tenants. [1583/16]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The new incremental tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016 and provides opportunities for tenants to become homeowners, while also promoting sustainable communities and generating additional funding from sale proceeds for local authorities to refurbish and replenish its housing stock. The scheme is open to tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme, and who have been in receipt of social housing support for a minimum period of one year and who have a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum.

Similar to other incremental purchase model schemes currently operating, the scheme involves progressive discounts for purchasers linked to household income, with the housing authority placing an incremental charge on the house equivalent to the discount given.

The consideration of applications and the determination of eligibility under the new incremental tenant purchase scheme is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the scheme. As Minister I am precluded from becoming involved in individual cases.