asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that there is grave discontent among Dublin Corporation tenants over the operation of the differential rent system and if he will take the necessary steps to compel the Dublin Corporation (a) to discontinue this renting system, (b) to arrange for the payment of a flat rate of rent for all Corporation tenants, and (c) to provide that the assessment of means for payment of rent should be based on the income of the head of the household only and if arrangements will be made (i) with the Department of Social Welfare for the payment of sums adequate to cover rent payments in the case of an unemployed man, and (ii) for the payment from the Exchequer of the subsidy required to allow for the fixing of a suitably low rent for Corporation houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Differential Rent System.
I am not so aware.
With regard to (a), (b) and (c), I am not empowered to compel the housing authority to adopt any particular form of renting. In the circumstances, the latter part of the question does not arise.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister not aware that the differential rent system as operated is the cause of rows between husband and wife, much family distress, spying and informing by neighbours, wholesale dishonesty, the "codding" of public officials and the "codding" of the public by public officials? In those circumstances does he not think there should be an inquiry into the moral and social desirability of the differential rent system?
I do not.
Is the Minister aware that the greatest discontent is due to the fact that the powers of the Dublin Corporation arise from the 1851 Summary Jurisdiction Act which was enacted at a time when rents were cheap, and that actually the Justices have no power to refuse an order, even where an order is for one penny, with expenses of 15/-? The Justices give an order for £5 and that is the cause of the discontent among a lot of the tenants. I shall raise this in more detail in the debate on the Vote for the Minister's Department.