Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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754. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in the commencement of a new scheme (details supplied). [5591/16]

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 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, letter of notification and a detailed information booklet for tenants have also been issued to local authorities.

The implementation of the Scheme, including its application on a local basis in accordance with the provisions of the underpinning legislation, is now a matter for each local authority. Local authorities have been requested to write to tenants of houses, in their areas of responsibility, that are available for sale under the new Scheme, notifying them of its commencement.