The removal of Part V homes from the Tenant Purchase Scheme is preventing potential buyers to purchase homes, according to Fianna Fáil.

The party's spokesperson on Housing, Barry Cowen TD, is calling for the scheme to be extended and to include private developments.

Deputy Cowen said: "Over 15,000 homes have been built under Part V since 2000. Many of the people occupying these homes have lived in them since construction and are established in their respective communities. They want to avail of the opportunity to own their own home, but they are being excluded by the small print of the new Tenant Purchase Scheme. It's deeply unfair on these families who want to own their own home to be frozen out by sub-clauses in the scheme.

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"These homes should be opened up and allowed to be purchased by their long-term occupants. I believe it's only fair that these aspiring families are given a route to own their own home, subject to a clawback mechanism on future sales of the home to ensure fairness with neighbours. It's also important that the money earned from sales through the scheme are kept locally and invested in social housing construction in those counties."

(CD/LM)