The value limits which apply to the co-ownership scheme were increased in April 2006, and again at the beginning of October, to reflect house price inflation. The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association has also been given the flexibility to operate outside the value limits in cases, subject to departmental approval, where there are valid reasons for doing so. The issue of price limits will be considered again in the spring in the context of the annual price limits review and the recommendations of the Independent Review into Housing Affordability.