Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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351. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the shared equity scheme prioritises particular groups to access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7371/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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352. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is leniency when accessing the shared equity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7372/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.

In line with the commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system in the Programme for Government, ‘Our Shared Future’, Government approved the priority drafting of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020 on 22 December 2020, and I published the General Scheme on 20 January last.

The Bill includes provisions to underpin three schemes delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) affordable homes delivered by local authorities (2) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme for private homes and (3) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental.

Budget 2021 allocated €75 million for the affordable housing shared equity scheme. The scheme will be targeted at first time buyers of new build homes who would otherwise not be in a position to buy a home. However, the more detailed design aspects of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, is currently ongoing, and will be informed by our continued engagement with all relevant stakeholders.