Flat Purchase Scheme Still Being Delayed by Government
I asked a question at the Dublin City Council meeting last night to try to get to the bottom of the ridiculous delay in extending the tenant purchase scheme (which allows tenants of Dublin City Council to buy their homes) to include flats as well as houses.
Unfortunately, the response makes it clear that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is continuing to block the Council’s efforts. Dublin City Council has made numerous attempts to give those who live in flats the same rights as their neighbours living in houses, but again and again Fianna Fáil and the Greens block us.
The exact response from the City Manager is below:
Question to City Manager City Council Meeting 01/09/2008
Q50. COUNCILLOR DERMOT LACEY
To ask the Manager if he can report on the current status of any proposals to enable tenants to purchase Local Authority flats.
CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
We are still awaiting the introduction of a Scheme for the sale of local authority apartments by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
In his speech on 25th July 2008 (on the publication of the Housing Bill 2008) the Minister referred to the fact that a Scheme was not included in the Bill. He also said, however, that the DoEHLG in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office are making significant progress in dealing with the outstanding problems which are delaying the introduction of the Scheme e.g. the management of apartment complexes, insurance, the cost of maintenance and the transfer of legal title.
