Pringle concerned over use of public land for private housing



A Donegal TD has voiced concern about plans to hand over State or local authority land for private housing.

It was one of a number of moves revealed yesterday during a meeting between Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy and the chief executives of local authorities throughout the country.

Three new schemes were annonced yesterday in an effort to deal with the current housing crisis.

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme is a new government-backed mortgage scheme for first-time buyers.

The Minister announced  yesterday said the new Loan Scheme would be available nationwide from all local authorities from Thursday 1st February. 

It’s understood, Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim county councils  will be making arrangements to offer the scheme from that date.

It has a fixed low-interest rate for 25 to 30 years.

The Affordable Rental Scheme is meant to result in low rents that will cover the cost of building and ongoing maintenance.

But it’s the Affordable Purchase Scheme that has raised initial concerns.

That’s because, under the scheme, private homes would be built on State or local authority land.

And that’s something politicians, such as Donegal TD Thomas Pringle, have concerns about.

One of those who attended yesterday’s meeting with the minister was the CEO of Sligo County Council, Ciaran Hayes.

He says it was a positive and worthwhile meeting.



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