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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Affordable home loan eligibility

Summary

Deputy Martin argued the Rebuilding Ireland home loan was not being properly communicated and was excluding separated people who had previously owned property. The Minister clarified that separated or divorced applicants remain eligible and offered to relay the details, but Martin said the guidelines did not state that, and the Chair moved to the next member.

There is a clear commitment in the programme for Government in respect of developing affordable loans options, although they have been very poorly developed so far. In respect of the recently published affordable loans scheme, a significant number of people have been prevented from applying, namely, those who may have had property before. It seems that only first-time buyers can apply. A person who has been separated for over two decades and who is caring for his children came to me last week. Due to the fact that he had a property back then, he is now ineligible for this scheme. People who may have lost their homes during the economic crash will likewise not be in a position to apply under the scheme. An extraordinary number of people have been excluded, wrongly in my view. Some of them will face homelessness. In the case I mentioned, the person will no longer be able to rent that house in five or six months' time. He has an option to buy a house but can only do so under the affordable scheme.

Comment on this
Eoghan Murphy Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy for raising the question. The Rebuilding Ireland home loan is for first-time buyers but there is an exception for someone who is separated or divorced; if they have previously owned a property they will still be eligible to apply for the scheme. We are currently rolling out the first tranche of the scheme and we are reviewing it as we go to see what changes we might make with the second tranche.

Comment on this

That is not being communicated to people.

Comment on this

If the Deputy will give me the specific information, I will have it communicated to that person because if he is separated or divorced, he can apply for the loan.

Comment on this

I have seen the guidelines and that is not stated in them.

Comment on this

The Deputies can have a conversation afterwards. I call Deputy O'Reilly.

Comment on this