asked the Minister for Local Government the reason why the purchasing tenant of cottage number four, Castleknock village, County Dublin, is required to pay one shilling and sixpence per week more than neighbouring tenants for water and sewerage services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Castleknock (Dublin) Cottage.
31.
I am informed that Dublin County Council defray from the rates part of the cost of installing water and sewerage services in cottages which they are letting to tenants. The council have been legally advised, however, that they are obliged to recover the full cost of this work in the case of cottages which have been vested in tenants. The difference in charges in the present case arises from the fact that cottage No. 4 has been vested while neighbouring cottages have not.
I am aware of that, but could the Minister not ask his legal advisers to examine this matter because it is liable to arise in an extended form with the continued increase of cottage purchases in the Dublin area? I would suggest that there is a very good case for no extra charge being made on purchasing tenants by virtue of the fact that, as the Minister knows, the purchase of the cottage by the tenant does not become fully effective for anything up to 30 or 40 years. He is merely purchasing a fractional interest in the ownership of the house.
There may be something in what the Deputy says. In this case, I should explain, the purchase annuity is 1/-. The additional charge for the services is 4/—a total of 5/-, whereas in respect of the neighbouring cottages there is a rent of 4/- and the additional charge made for water and services is 2/6d. making a total payment by way of rent and services charge 6/6d. as against 5/- in the other case, for the same type of house, with the same services. However, I shall have a look at the matter.