196. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the fresh start principle within the local authority purchase and renovation loan scheme, in light of cases where families had to sell a previous home due to the disability-related needs of a child; if he will consider extending eligibility so that such families are not excluded from accessing finance needed to renovate derelict or vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50055/26]

The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan is a Government backed first time buyer mortgage and loan for the purchase and renovation of derelict and non-habitable homes. The property must be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, whether derelict, non-habitable or simply vacant.

The loan is available to creditworthy first time buyers or persons who become eligible to be treated as first time buyers under the Fresh Start principle. Eligible applicants for Local Authority mortgages are required to demonstrate their creditworthiness and repayment capacity as part of the application process.

The Fresh Start principle applies to both the Local Authority Home Loan and Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan; this means that the persons who have previously owned a property but have been divested of their interest in their former property as a result of a relationship termination or insolvency are eligible to be treated as first time buyers for the purpose of these schemes.

There are no plans to extend the Fresh Start principle to include persons who have previously owned a property but disposed of it for any reason other than outlined above.