asked the Minister for Local Government if he has any proposals to enable local authorities to let at rents reasonable to tenants houses recently erected, or about to be erected, by such authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Rents.
Generous grants and subsidies are contributed by the State towards the cost of housing so as to enable local authorities to provide houses at rents within the capacity of the tenants to pay. It is a matter for the local authorities, in fixing rents, to apply this financial assistance in such a manner as to bring the rents to be charged to the poorer tenants to levels within their paying capacity.
I have frequently stressed the need for applying State grants in this manner and the best way in which it can be done is, in my opinion, by the operation of a system of differential or graded rents. Such a system ensures that not only State assistance but also contributions from the rates are applied where they are most needed.