asked the Minister for Local Government if he will advise the Dublin City Manager to arrange that widows applying to Dublin Corporation for succession of tenancy be given the option of remaining on flat-rent or going on differential rent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenancies for Widows.
15.
As I indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 25 and 26 of the 14th June, proposals recently adopted by Dublin Corporation following my letter to them of 28th February last, provided that all changes in tenancy, other than transfers recommended by the Chief Medical Officer on overcrowding grounds, are subject to the new tenant going on to the appropriate differential rent scale. I have since reexamined the matter and have notified the corporation by letter that the requirement in question should not apply to a widow who succeeds to the tenancy of a house in which her late husband was the tenant. I may add that any fixed rent tenant may opt to go on to the appropriate differential rent scale at any time, and the exercise of this option would be to the advantage of widows and other persons with low incomes or dependent children.
Would the Minister say when he gave that instruction to Dublin Corporation?
The day before yesterday, by letter dated 20th June.
Has the Minister any reason why he did not send me a letter in that connection, as he promised?
I did. Deputy Mullen asked me to do it last week and he asked me again on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, I personally saw to it that a letter was brought over here by hand for Deputy Mullen.
I did not get it.
It came over by hand yesterday. The letter came over and it must be here on the premises.
I notice in the report of last week—"I do not consider that action by me is called for". You changed your mind between now and then and you only revealed your change of mind to the people who suited you.