James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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464. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if clarity will be provided on the inclusion of divorced or legally separated couples as eligible applicants for the proposed affordable purchase shared equity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16439/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 purchase equity scheme. Broadly, the objectives of the scheme are to improve access and affordability of new homes for First Time Buyers, stimulate an increase in supply by improving confidence as to the viability of future housing developments to meet increased realisable demand, and support economic recovery from COVID-19 by encouraging employment in the construction and related sectors.

Work on the detailed design of the proposed scheme including eligibility criteria is ongoing and at an advanced stage. This has involved detailed consideration of all aspects of the Scheme, taking on board feedback, and in consultation with stakeholders. I can confirm that I intend to bring the completed Bill before the Oireachtas as part of the Summer legislative programme.