asked the Minister for Local Government if he will examine a housing case (details supplied) in which a childless couple, one of whom suffers from kidney tuberculosis, is not accorded priority by the Dublin city housing authority; and if, in view of the youth and grossly overcrowded living conditions of this couple who are corporation subtenants, he will recommend to the corporation that they should be provided with a chalet or similar type dwelling as a temporary expedient pending proper accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Dublin Couple.
24.
As the Deputy is aware, the allocation of dwellings is a matter for the housing authority, subject to observance of the priorities laid down in statutory regulations. The housing authority are required to have regard to a report of their Chief Medical Officer, who would, of course, advise them in regard to the medical aspects of any particular case. As the Deputy knows, representations by public representatives cannot upset the priorities based on the statutory regulations—and this applies whether those representations come from a Minister or a Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that this is a case where the application of the existing out-dated scheme of letting priorities is working to create hardship with very considerable inhumanity to a very young couple where this illness to which I refer was discovered to be present only six weeks after these young people were married. In the light of the fact that Dublin Corporation have submitted a series of new letting regulations designed to bring housing allocation more into conformity with the demands of the present day, would the Minister look at this case, having in mind the new regulations which merely await sanction from his Department, and with a view to having human treatment accorded to those two very unfortunate people?
I cannot allocate houses that are the property of Dublin Corporation. I received these proposed new regulations on 23rd May——
Did the Minister not draw them up?
I did not draw them up. They came from the Housing Committee of the Corporation. These regulations are fairly involved. They will be examined as quickly as possible and the corporation will then be in order in adopting them, but until that time the present statutory priorities apply and there is nothing I can do to compel the corporation to allocate a house in any particular case.
Will the Minister read the Question? I am not talking about the allocation of houses but of the allocation of a chalet or some such temporary dwelling. Would he not agree with me that circumstances will arise where regulations laid down by any authority will not suffice to cover exceptional cases, that you will always get the case that is not covered by regulation and in which, if regulations are strictly adhered to, considerable suffering and hardship for the persons concerned will result? There are 12 people here in a corporation house.
We cannot have a debate on this Question.
One of them suffers from tuberculosis. All I am asking is that this man be given a chalet for himself and his young wife while the housing situation is being straightened out in Dublin. I know the Minister has no power to direct the corporation in a situation of this kind but, if the case were supported by a sympathetic word from the Minister, relief for the persons concerned might result.
I am aware that cases of hardship arise and I hope that these new regulations which the corporation have submitted to me will enable cases such as this to be dealt with. In the meantime, the only person who can do anything about this, as far as I can see, is the medical officer. I am informed by the corporation that the medical aspect of this case has been fully considered.
Has priority been recommended on medical grounds?
I am informed that the medical factor in this case has been fully considered.
What does that mean? Has priority been recommended on medical grounds?
No, it has not.
I should like to raise this more fully on the Adjournment, with your permission, Sir.
It is a matter for Dublin Corporation.
And for common humanity also.
I am not the City Manager.
The Minister is not going to tell me that the Minister is not a humane man, is he?