asked the Minister for Local Government if he will approve a tenant purchase scheme for Dublin Corporation dwellings; and, if so, on what terms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Tenant Purchase Scheme.
25.
I notified Dublin Corporation on the 28th ultimo that my agreement to certain changes in their differential rent schemes was conditional on the submission by the corporation of a tenant purchase scheme for sales of their houses under section 90 of the Housing Act, 1966, when in operation. The terms which I indicated I would be prepared to approve for such sales included a discount calculated at a rate not exceeding 2 per cent a year, for each year over five during which the tenant has been continuously in occupation of the house or any other house of a local authority, subject to a maximum discount of 30 per cent.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say why he and others voted against a Fine Gael proposal in this House several months ago to provide a tenant purchase scheme for the tenants of Dublin Corporation? Why did he vote against this some months ago?
Are you not happy about it?
You are changing horses once again.
Is the Minister satisfied that in view of the fact that there are 10,000 people waiting for housing in Dublin it would be in the best interests of these people that the existing houses owned by the local authority should be sold and thereby lessen the pool of houses available to be allocated to the people on the waiting list?
That is a separate question.
This is very much concerned with tenant purchase.
It is a separate aspect.
The Minister has indicated to the corporation that he expects them to submit proposals for a tenant purchase scheme.
Does the Minister agree that it is in the best interests of the existing 10,000 on the waiting list of Dublin Corporation that the houses available to the corporation should be sold and thereby lessen the pool of houses available to be allocated? I am asking that question and I want an answer to it.
What side of the fence is the Deputy on now? Is he for the ratepayers or is he not?
Question No. 26.
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputies allow the Parliamentary Secretary to answer Question No. 26?