asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in view of the fact that the Dublin Corporation have a five-year residential qualification clause in their house-letting agreements, he will reconsider his refusal to sanction the proposal by the Galway Corporation to have a three-year residential qualification inserted in their agreements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Housing—Residential Qualification.
The letting of local authority dwellings is governed by statutory regulations which do not preclude the operations of a residence qualification in respect of applicants for dwellings provided the statutory regulations are observed. I have already informed the Galway Corporation that I would not consider it in the general interest to amend the statutory regulations to provide specifically for a residential qualification as such amendment could have undesirable effects in restricting the mobility of labour and the settlement of population in towns with developing industries. I have also drawn their attention to their powers under by-laws to prevent families from moving into overcrowded conditions.
Could the Minister indicate why, and say on what grounds, this regulation is being applied in Dublin?
The Minister's sanction was not sought by Dublin Corporation who appears to be satisfied that, in the light of their housing circumstances, a residential qualification can be operated without conflict with the regulations.
A form of decentralisation.