asked the Minister for Local Government whether there are any special arrangements for the painting, decoration and maintenance of corporation flat schemes; and if he is aware that certain schemes have been neglected in this respect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Corporation Flats.
10.
I understand that the external painting and decoration of the rented dwellings in the corporation's estates, including flats, is carried out on a programmed basis, at intervals of six to 6½ years. Other work, as necessary, is carried out by the corporation in conjunction with the redecoration work. In addition, repairs are carried out on a day-to-day basis after inspection by officers of the maintenance department of the corporation, or following receipt of complaints from tenants.
Tenants are generally responsible for all internal decoration and for any breakage of glass in the windows and any damage to the fixtures, fittings or structure of the dwelling.
Subject to the tenants' liability as indicated, the maintenance of their housing estate is a matter for the corporation, who have provided £1.182 million for the purpose in their current year's estimates. I am not aware that any particular schemes have been excluded from the scope of the redecorating programme referred to.
Is the Minister aware that there are some schemes where such rotational arrangements in regard to maintenance have not been carried out for a period of eight years? Is he aware that in the case of people who pay high rents for flats the maintenance work on the building should be carried out more often?
My information is that this work is done on a six to 6½ year cycle.
Does the Minister consider this satisfactory?
Yes.
Does he seriously consider that this is satisfactory in view of the high rents those tenants are paying?
The rents in some cases do not even cover the cost of maintenance, never mind the cost of any structural work.
Would the Minister consider in the case of his own house, if there were continuous change of tenancy, that once in six years would be sufficient to have such maintenance work carried out?
Corporation houses and flats, when there is change of tenancy, are always redecorated.
Does the Minister not consider that the way such work is carried out in Corporation flats at the moment is very unsatisfactory? There are complaints where people in flats pay the top rents but maintenance work is not carried out satisfactorily.