, andMr. McAuliffe asked the Minister for Local Government if, under the housing letting regulations, a married son or daughter living in a local authority house is deemed to be a lodger, and thereby ineligible to qualify for 66? per cent subsidy houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Letting Regulations.
55.
It is a breach of the Housing (Management and Letting) Regulations to permit the occupation of a housing authority dwelling by a family other than the family having the tenancy. The rate of subsidy available towards the rehousing of such a family, which does not involve a statutory operation by the housing authority, is generally the rate of 33? per cent. of the appropriate loan charges. Where the circumstances so warrant however, subsidy at the rate of 66? per cent. can be paid in respect of the rehousing of any family on medical or compassionate grounds.
Is the Minister satisfied that local authorities are not operating this regulation too strictly?
I have not any evidence to support an allegation one way or the other.
Did I hear the Minister correctly, that he said that in cases where health or compassionate grounds are involved, such people as are mentioned in the question could be housed in a house which carries a 66? per cent subsidy?
That is right.
And the local authorities are fully aware of that?
I should imagine so. That has been the case for many years.
Will the Minister consider sending a circular to that effect to the local authorities?
I think, from the general approaches of the local authorities in individual cases over the years, they are so aware. If there is any danger of their overstepping the line in the opposite direction, we would be likely to do it.
I remember a case which occurred about two years ago where a daughter who lived in her parents' house and who had TB was refused a 66? per cent subsidy house by the local authority on the basis of their implementing this regulation very strictly indeed. That is the reason I ask the Minister to remind them that they could in certain circumstances waive this regulation.
They may waive it in certain circumstances and they do. I should not like to comment on a particular case.
I would not ask the Minister to comment on a particular case. I merely gave it as an example to show that local authorities in many cases are operating the regulations more strictly that the Minister would want them to.
I should imagine that the publicity arising from the talk about this here may make wise those who are unwise.