asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects that Dublin Corporation will be able to extend housing accommodation to families of four.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Housing.
12.
I understand that the Corporation are not in a position to say when they will be able to offer accommodation generally to the smaller families having regard to the many variable factors involved. The substantial increase in the rate of house completions arising from the Corporation's expanded programme supplemented by the Ballymun project, should ensure a material improvement in the overall housing position in Dublin city in the near future.
13.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that at present in Dublin city many cases have occurred where speculators have bought houses and properties which were about to be condemned as dangerous buildings; and that subsequently these speculators have forced tenants to leave the houses pending necessary alterations and then raised the rents to a level beyond the means of these tenants; and if he will take steps to investigate this type of housing speculation and ensure that the rights of these tenants are protected.
I am not so aware. I understand that Dublin Corporation have no evidence of undesirable speculation arising from operations in regard to the repair of dangerous buildings. Changes of tenancies or rents in such cases would, in general, be subject to the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1960.
Would the Minister be prepared to look at evidence in this connection ?
Certainly, if the Deputy or anybody else wishes to send it to me.
And to do something about it ?
I shall do what I can about it.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that in certain cases in Dublin city families have been let accommodation in condemned houses, without being informed that the houses in question were condemned; and that subsequently these families were not eligible for alternative accommodation by Dublin Corporation because they had moved into the houses after they had been condemned; and if he will take steps to ensure that it is made clear to all prospective tenants that houses such as these have in fact been condemned and that by taking up accommodation in them they are forfeiting their rights to be re-accommodated by the Corporation.
I am so aware. As indicated in the White Paper Housing —Progress and Prospects, the Housing Bill will contain provisions to revise and strengthen the law dealing with unfit houses. These will include proposals to deal with the practice to which the Deputy refers.