Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
275. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the incremental tenant purchase scheme; if consideration is being given to including tenants of approved housing body housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/24]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Schemes provide for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority properties which are available for sale under the terms of the particular scheme. All applications for the Scheme must satisfy the requirements outlined in the relevant legislation. However, the schemes only provide for the purchase of local authority properties and do not extend to properties owned by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
AHBs (also called housing associations or voluntary housing associations) are independent, not-for-profit organisations. They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes; or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people. Any sale of an AHB property must be in compliance with their Memorandum and Articles of Association and it is also advisable for the AHB to consult with the Charities Regulator in this regard if it is a registered charity. However, as not-for-profit bodies, AHBs are limited in their ability to sell any property on the open market at a value which is less than the market value of the property.
My Department monitors schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, as above, consideration cannot be given to extending the schemes to tenants residing in properties owned by AHBs.
