asked the Minister for Local Government what are his views on the reconstruction of smaller type houses by local authorities to provide the standard of accommodation and services now pertaining in new building; if this is possible under existing law (a) for local authority owned houses and (b) for vested houses; if access to the Local Loans Fund can be had for this purpose; and if repayments can be collected with rent or vested house annuities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reconstruction of Houses.
27.
Housing authorities may carry out works of reconstruction and sanitation in houses owned by them. They are not empowered under the Housing Acts to incure expenditure for works to houses which are vested in the tenants, but such tenants are themselves eligible for grants and loans towards works of repair and improvement. Issues from the Local Loans Fund are normally reserved for the financing of major capital works, but in so far as houses owned by the local authority are concerned, applications for sanction to borrowing from sources other than the Fund are considered in the normal course. It is a matter for the housing authority who have incurred expenditure on the works in question to review the rents charged for the houses concerned if they consider this course desirable.