THE ISSUE of local authority tenants purchasing their homes has been raised with the members of New Ross Town Council.

In his monthly report to the members Town Clerk, Ger Mackey, said all of the local authority tenants had been written to in relation to the cessation of the 1995 Tenant Purchase Scheme.

The end of the scheme will come into effect in from Tuesday.

“The Department of Environment has clarified the last date for receipt of applications to purchase is December 31, 2012,” said Mr. Mackey.

Finalisation of sales will be permitted up to the last day of 2013.

“Will full criteria then apply to the tenants?” asked Cllr. John Dwyer.

“The Housing Officer with Wexford Co. Council has the final say as to whether or not to grant the loan,” replied Mr. Mackey.

Cllr. Dwyer then asked if the initial cost of having an evaluation done would be placed on tenants.

“We do not charge,” replied the Town Housing Officer, Mick McCormack.

Cllr. Michael Sheehan then commented that “no-one is going to get a bank loan” anyway.

He also said people will get frustrated: “We are going to antagonise people because they will get a house at a knock-down price but they might as well be double [priced] because they will not get a loan.”