asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the increased social welfare benefits paid to council tenants who are under the differential rent scheme have resulted in their rents being raised; and if he proposes to do anything in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Differential Rents of Council Tenants.
36.
I am aware that differential rent schemes provide for the assessment of rent by reference to family income, including, in some cases, income from social welfare benefits. A housing authority, in adopting or amending a scheme, may resolve that any particular items of income should be excluded in the assessment of rent and I will be prepared to consider any such proposal on its merits.
This applies to the country as a whole. I want to ask the Minister is he aware that Dublin Corporation has not taken into account any increases in social welfare benefits during the past seven years? During the past seven years, the poorer tenants have been saved £13,000 a year.
Deputies
Speech!
I will sit down. I am responsible——
(Interruptions.)
If the other local authority members attended the Housing Committee, they would know the position just as well as I do.
(Interruptions.)