Housing Provision
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-22
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Darren O'Rourke (SF), Meath East

Could I specifically raise the issue this time round in relation to the design of the scheme? The question specifically relates to the redemption and realisation of the council equity. I do not think people are aware of the fact that there is a premium on the council equity. If it is 10% on a house costing €405,000 today, the percentage relates to the current market value. If I am in that property for 30 years and I am looking to draw down on the council equity, if the property is worth €450,000 or €500,000, I am required to pay 10% of the current market value at that stage, and I have to pay in lump sums of a minimum of €10,000. They are very significant issues. It is a cruel aspect of this scheme. It is a premium on the council's equity. I do not think people are aware of that fact. Why did the Minister design the scheme in that way? Does he acknowledge that it is an unfair premium?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:32+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-22