Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if there is a way in which he can intervene in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38399/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To ensure effective targeting of limited resources, local authority house purchase loan finance continues to be available to first time buyers only. The Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012 are kept under ongoing review. There are no plans, at this time, to alter the Regulations in this regard. The option currently available for non-first time buyers is to seek home loan facilities from one of the commercial lending institutions.

In relation to the specific case raised, I wish to advise that section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that my power as Minister to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions shall not be construed as enabling me to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned.