Fine Gael Kildare South Martin Heydon TD has today (Friday) confirmed that details of a new Tenant Purchase Scheme for Kildare County Council tenants are expected to be finalised shortly. In response to a Parliamentary Question, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Paudie Coffey confirmed necessary regulations would be completed as soon as possible.
“The introduction of a new tenant purchase scheme was provided for under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. In addition, the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 included a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, which will set out the full details of the new scheme, in the second quarter of 2015.
“I know, many Kildare Council tenants are anxiously awaiting the finer details of the scheme to allow them to proceed to purchase their own homes. There has not been an active Tenant Purchase Scheme in operation since 2012.
“I have spoken to the Minister about the possibility of funds from the Tenant Purchase Scheme being available to Kildare County Council to allow them to re-invest in further housing stock. The Minister has confirmed that subject to his prior approval, local authorities may use moneys from the tenant purchasers for the provision, refurbishment or maintenance of housing or related projects.”