asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure that the rents of the new houses in course of erection at Portlaoighise, known as the Borris Road housing scheme, will be such as will enable the workers to pay them without undue hardship; and if he will also ensure that the rents fixed will be the lowest possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rents of New Houses.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure that the rents to be fixed for the new houses in course of erection by the Leix County Council at Mountmellick will be the lowest possible.
I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.
The local authority has submitted proposals for a system of graded renting for the housing scheme at Borris Road, Portlaoighise. No proposals have yet been submitted by the local authority in regard to the rents of the houses being erected at Mountmellick.
My attitude in these cases will be in accordance with my general policy of impressing on local authorities the need for ensuring, when fixing rents, that no family in need of accommodation will be debarred from getting a house solely because of low rent-paying capacity.
Could the Minister say whether he has examined the proposal submitted by Laoighis County Council in this connection and if he is satisfied that the scales which they have set out will be in accordance with the paying capacity of the prospective tenants?
The first scheme is under consideration. The second has not been submitted yet.
Will the Minister bear those points in mind in giving consideration?