asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the rent authorities of the Dublin Corporation refused to take an instalment equal to approximately one-third of back rent owed by a tenant with a promise of equal instalments over succeeding weeks until the debt was fully paid up, and instead instituted court proceedings to seek to obtain power to evict the family which included four small children, because they were dissatisfied with the family's rent payment record; and if he will have a full investigation of this action carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Rent Arrears Eviction.
24.
The administration of its housing estate is a matter for the housing authority. I have, however, caused inquiries to be made as to the facts of the case to which the Deputy refers and I am satisfied that the housing authority has carried out the functions with which it is charged in a fair and reasonable manner.
The Minister may not be aware that this incident concerned an unpleasant place which is one of the most sordid, unhygienic and unhealthy possessions of the Dublin Corporation. The corporation have a nerve to charge any rent for it at all. Would the Minister not agree that where a reasonable instalment is offered by an unfortunate labouring man who has four children, they should be prepared to consider the matter sympathetically, accept it, and save a woman and her children from being put out on the side of the road with all the psychological consequences which follow?
As I stated in my reply, this is a matter for the housing authority in question.
I appreciate the Minister's position and I appreciate his difficulties in the matter, but would he say whether he can see any appreciable difference between the behaviour of the callous bureaucrat in the corporation who carried out that action and the old landed aristocracy who put people out on the sides of the roads in years gone by? Is there any difference?
The Deputy is going far from the Question.
It is only fair that I should reply to the implication in that Supplementary Question. According to the information I have, and which I know was also furnished to the Deputy there is no comparison between this action and that to which he refers.
I saw the lady and her four children sitting on the steps outside the flat.
Why does the Deputy not give all the facts?
Why does not the Minister give them?
The Deputy raised the question.
The Minister is privileged to answer.