Frank O’Rourke has called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to swiftly publish a report on the future of the tenant purchase scheme.
His calls come as correspondence received by Fianna Fáil shows further delays in publishing the report which was due to be completed in 2017. The 2016 Tenant Purchase scheme enables local authority housing tenants to buy their own homes at a discounted price subject to significant conditions. A report on how the scheme was functioning was due to be completed 12 months following its establishment.
Frank commented, “Over two years on since the report was due to be published and we are still waiting on it, this is despite repeated calls from Fianna Fáil for the Minister to prioritise its publication.This new correspondence proves that instead of publishing the report and allowing the Dáil to debate its recommendations and set out a path forward for the scheme the Minister has put it on the long finger. “
“Why is the Minister keeping the report hidden? Instead of being open about it he is delaying it for political reasons and clearly intends to swamp it as part of a new social housing announcement over the coming months – yet another example of cynical spin by the Government. Its past time for the Minister to show a bit of honesty and publish the report. Tenants have been waiting far too long and the Dáil needs to debate it as soon as a matter of priority,”