Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

Ceisteanna (717)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

717. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority tenant hoping to purchase his or her home under the tenant incremental purchase scheme 2016 does not qualify to purchase under the ten-year housing supports criterion but qualifies under financial requirements, if time spent in receipt of rent supplement, as this is also a housing needs support, can be considered for the person to qualify under this new criterion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16493/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme.

Applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify under the scheme, including a minimum 10 years in receipt of social housing supports. Such supports include social dwellings provided local authorities as well as assistance provided through the Rental Accommodation Scheme and Housing Assistance Payment. The requirement seeks to encourage long-term tenants to stay in their homes and support the development of socially sustainable communities.

Rent supplement is not a social housing support. It is a short-term income support for people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation from their own resources. Accordingly, time spent in receipt of rent supplement does not count towards the time spent in receipt of social housing and is not reckonable for the purposes of meeting the 10-year criterion.