Dáil Éireann - Volume 637 - 26 June, 2007

Written Answers. - Social and Affordable Housing.

Deputy Emmet Stagg Deputy Emmet Stagg

584

[584] Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will bring in amending legislation allowing for the purchase by tenants of their homes provided under the rental subsidy scheme. [17567/07]

Deputy John Gormley Deputy John Gormley

  Deputy John Gormley: There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes for the purchase of individual houses by tenants. However, it was agreed under Housing Policy Framework — Building Sustainable Communities that consideration would be given in consultation with the voluntary and co-operative sector, to pilot a tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes based on the incremental purchase model.

The modalities of such a scheme have been the subject of ongoing discussion between my Department and representatives of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector including the Irish Council for Social Housing and National Association of Building Co-operatives. My Department is liaising with a number of these organisations with a view to selecting a number of potential projects for inclusion in a pilot tenant purchase scheme. The introduction of such a scheme including any legislative element, will be determined as soon as possible.

Dáil Éireann 637 Written Answers. Social and Affordable Housing.

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