Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

540. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a scheme to utilise lands owned by our local authorities (details supplied) could be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In September 2022, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under this scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available at a discounted rate to individual purchasers to build a home and live in it as their principal private residence. It is intended that the local authority will either supply existing sites in their control, or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned.The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site, but will not exceed €30,000. The amount of such discount will be reflected in the sale price of the site to the purchaser.

All available sites will be advertised on the relevant local authority’s website and/or in relevant local publications along with a closing date for receipt of applications.

As the scheme has recently launched, each local authority has been asked to identify suitable sites for the scheme.

Applications for the Ready to Build Scheme are to be made to the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority who can provide further advice and information in respect of the scheme and the application process. Further information with regard to the scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/33209-ready-to-build-scheme-serviced-sites-for-new-homes/

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

541. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the terms and conditions of the tenant purchase scheme to include income from the rural social scheme when purchasing a rural local authority house now that the six-year time limit has been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1301/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.

The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides that the Minister may set out a minimum income required to purchase under the scheme. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose - it ensures the scheme is sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period.

In determining reckonable income, local authorities are directed to disregard non-permanent income sources, including the Rural Social Scheme. Given the recent removal of the six-year time limit for participants on the Rural Social Scheme it may be appropriate to reconsider income from the Rural Social Scheme as a reckonable income under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.

Any changes in relation to income disregards may be considered together with other potential changes to the Tenant Purchase Scheme currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.