Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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1303. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to reintroduce the key worker mortgage scheme, which was previously shelved before implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45808/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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As I have previously signalled, the Government recognises the housing affordability pressures faced by households with low to moderate income in parts of the country where housing costs are highest. Therefore, housing affordability has been examined by my Department as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, taking account of the measures already taken and those announced as part of Budget 2018. The outcome of this, including any additional measures, will be outlined in the coming weeks.

In terms of funding, as part of Budget 2018, I have secured funding of €25 million, to be provided over 2018 and 2019, to unlock local authority-owned land specifically to deliver affordable housing. Local authorities have already worked very successfully with co-operative housing bodies in delivering infrastructure on local authority-owned sites so that co-operatives can make affordable housing available. I would like to see this model made available on a far greater scale.

My Department is currently drawing up the criteria for access to this scheme, which will be communicated to local authorities in the coming weeks.