Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

341. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the provision which excludes specifically adapted bungalows from the tenant purchase scheme; if the terms of the scheme have been examined for equality; the options open to the tenants in relation to purchasing alternative sites where the local authority is not obligated to sell the adapted property and they would have a desire to purchase a site and a requirement for specific adaptations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22237/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme and applies to all existing local authority houses, other than those classes of houses excluded under legislation. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having been in receipt of social housing support for a minimum period of one year and having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum.

The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provides for a number of specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including houses specifically designed for older persons, group Traveller housing and houses provided to facilitate people with disabilities transferring from institutional care to community-based living. The Regulations do not exclude bungalows, including bungalows which have been adapted to meet specific needs, from sale under the scheme.

Housing authorities may, within the provisions of the Regulations, exclude certain houses which, in the opinion of the authority, should not be sold for reasons such as proper stock or estate management. It is a matter for each individual housing authority to administer the Scheme in its operational area in line with the over-arching provisions of the governing legislation for the scheme, and in a manner appropriate to its housing requirements.

The allocation of social housing support to qualified households, including households with specific adaptation requirements, is a matter for the housing authority concerned, under its allocation scheme, made in accordance with Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011.

In line with the commitment in the new Programme for a Partnership Government, I intend to undertake a review of the 2016 scheme following its first 12 months of operation. I will bring forward any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage.