asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory outcome of the recent discussions between the representatives of the National Association of Tenants' Organisations and the Dublin City Manager; and if he will take immediate steps to reconcile this serious impasse having regard to the thousands of Dublin Corporation tenants who are seriously concerned with the unsatisfactory outcome and desire positive steps to be taken to bring about the suggested changes made by their appointed representatives.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discussions with Tenants' Organisations.
12.
I have seen reports of the discussions referred to by the Deputy.
Section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966, provides that subject to such regulations as may be made by me, the management and control of their dwellings shall be vested in and exercised by the local authority. Proposals for the amendment of rent or purchase schemes discussed at the meeting to which the Deputy refers are, therefore, primarily a matter for the Corporation who must take into account the effect of any changes they make on their finances and their ability to meet the needs of those persons in their area who are still without decent housing. The amount raised from rates and taxes—paid in part by these persons for the subsidisation of corporation housing in Dublin—is now over £3,000,000 a year or sufficient to pay for the construction of about 1,000 more houses annually if the money were available for this purpose.
In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the manner suggested by the Deputy.