Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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463. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when he will provide information to Tipperary County Council regarding the new incremental tenant purchase scheme which was to come into effect on 1 January 2016 for existing local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3386/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 468 together.

The new incremental tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016 in accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015.

In November 2015 local authorities were circulated with details of the regulations accompanied by associated explanatory notes and detailed guidance on the new Scheme. An information seminar on the Scheme was also held for local authority staff in November.

A sample tenant application form has issued to local authorities and an information leaflet for tenants is currently being finalised and will be made available to local authorities in the coming days. Local authorities have been requested to write to all tenants of houses that are available for sale under the new Scheme, notifying them of its commencement.