asked the Minister for Local Government if the differential rent scheme will apply to the Ballymun houses, Dublin.
11.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun Dwellings.
10.
asked the Minister for Local Government what the maximum rents will be in respect of the Ballymun houses, Dublin.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 28th April in which I indicated that the new interim differential rent scheme, which was brought into operation by the corporation from 28th February, 1966, would apply to lettings at Ballymun. The maximum and minimum weekly rents, including rates up to 1964-65, under that scheme will vary from 32/6d and 2/6d, respectively, for one room dwellings, to 95/- and 7/6d respectively for five and six room dwellings. The rents scheme also provides that, where additional works or services are provided for tenants, a charge may be made therefor, but I understand that a final decision has not yet been made as to what effect, if any, this provision will have in relation to lettings at Ballymun.
The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned one-roomed dwellings. Are there any one-roomed dwellings being provided at the present time at Ballymun?
I do not think so. I do not think the one-roomed dwellings applied to Ballymun specifically. That figure is, I think, for the corporation housing scheme.
The question referred to Ballymun.
This is a differential rents scheme for the corporation estates.
12.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the first supply of Ballymun houses will be handed over to Dublin Corporation.
The process of inspection and certification of the first 50 completed houses has been commenced by the National Building Agency. When the Agency reports to me the results of its inspection, I will arrange consultation with the corporation regarding the hand over of houses for occupation.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give a date or an approximate date when these houses will be handed over?
Some time before 1st June.
I have not got that information.
Mr. O'Leary
It was the weather which delayed the handing over of the houses. The weather has improved now and does the Parliamentary Secretary think that with the summer months the site will have improved to such an extent that they can be handed over?
The houses are being inspected at the moment by the National Building Agency.
Can we expect that these 50 houses will be handed over within the month?
There is no reason why it should be a month but I do not want to be held to that. I do not want to be told, if something happens to hold up the handing over, that I had promised they would be handed over within a month.
13.
Mr. O'Leary
asked the Minister for Local Government when it is expected that the first scheme of flats will be completed in Ballymun, Dublin; and to what categories of families they will be allotted.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government when it is proposed that the first supply of flats will be handed over to Dublin Corporation in the Ballymun scheme.
15.
asked the Minister for Local Government the basis on which applicants will be selected for allocation of tenancies in the Ballymun housing scheme, Dublin.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 13, 14 and 15 together.
I am informed that the contractors propose that the first blocks will be completed in August and September. Tenancies will be allocated in accordance with the Housing (Management and Letting) Regulations, 1950 and 1953, which govern the letting of all local authority dwellings at present, or such scheme of priorities for lettings as may be determined in due course under section 60 of the Housing Bill, 1965. I understand that the housing authority expects that a substantial number of existing corporation tenants will transfer to Ballymun and that their present dwellings will be available for letting in accordance with these regulations.
Mr. O'Leary
Does the Parliamentary Secretary say that families of two children can be included in the transfer to Ballymun from the existing derelict buildings?
This is out of existing commitments.
Mr. O'Leary
Out of existing derelict buildings?
The Deputy knows as well as I do that the corporation are now housing families of three and four children.
Can the Parliamentary secretary tell us if any discussion has taken place with the tenants about the allocation of these houses?
I do not know. That is a matter for Dublin Corporation.
But these buildings do not belong to Dublin Corporation.
They will; the corporation appoint the tenants, and the Deputy knows that.