asked the Minister for the Environment if he will amend the regulations governing the provisions of loans by the Housing Finance Agency to enable separated or deserted spouses to obtain such loans even if such spouses were previously joint owners of the matrimonial home; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Responsibility for the operation of the Housing Finance Agency loan scheme, including the conditions of eligibility of applicants, rests with the agency in the first instance. I understand that, with effect from April last, the agency have modified their scheme to allow a person who has previously owned a house either solely or jointly with another person to be considered for a loan in certain exceptional circumstances. This change was made mainly to cater for the housing needs of separated persons. In the case of such applicants, at least two years must have elapsed since previous ownership of a house.

Would the Minister agree that two years seems to be an unfair length of time and that it would be better if there was a continuity of an immediate purchase rather than a two year gap? What happens in many cases is that the wife has to get out of the house, which is sold. She gets her share but if she wants to buy a house she has to wait two years before she can get a Housing Finance Agency loan. Will the Minister consider the matter again and discuss it with the Housing Finance Agency with a view to removing that two year waiting period? Where will a woman live for the two years?

I take the Deputy's point. Obviously, there are serious consequences to separations, and I will certainly look at the matter in consultation with the Housing Finance Agency.

Is this the only amendment the Minister has under consideration with regard to the Housing Finance Agency?

From time to time one must look at the work of the Housing Finance Agency, and a number of matters are under consideration with that body.