Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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191. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the specific measures that he is planning to ensure that divorced or separated persons will be assisted in qualifying for the new affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21978/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Affordable Housing Act 2021 lays the foundations for two affordable purchase schemes - Part 2 of the Act details the provisions for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and Part 4 of the Act provides for the Minister to establish the First Home Scheme.

The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will see new homes made available by the Local Authority for affordable purchase. The scheme is primarily targeted at First Time Buyers.  However, Section 10 of the Affordable Housing Act sets provisions for eligibility exceptions for the scheme, which are part of the Government's 'Fresh Start' strategy as detailed in Housing for All Plan. Broadly, the provisions include an exception for those who previously purchased or constructed a home with a spouse or partner but who are now divorced or legally separated or whose relationship has ended, and who now have no financial interest in the previous home. Such people, whilst they must satisfy further eligibility criteria like any other applicant, will be eligible for the Local Authority scheme.

The full text of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 is available from the following link: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/act/25/enacted/en/html.

The First Home Scheme will make new homes affordable for applicants by allowing them an equity stake in their new home, subject to eligibility criteria. Like the Local Authority scheme, First Home is primarily targeted at First Time Buyers, with certain exemptions. The intention is to mirror the Fresh Start provisions of the local authority scheme for people who are divorced or separated or whose relationship has ended, and who now have no financial interest in the previous home. Full details of the First Home Scheme will be available online on a dedicated website in the early June, in advance of the scheme’s deployment from the end of Quarter 2 this year.