asked the Minister for Lands how many rent arrears notices have had to be sent out during 1967, 1968 and 1969.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Rent Arrears Notices.
99.
Instalments of land purchase annuity fall due on 1st May — 1st June and 1st November — 1st December each year dependent on the particular Act under which the advance for purchase is made. The number of accounts for which half-yearly collection is made is approximately 375,000 or 750,000 collections per annum. It is customary to issue reminders in the case of unpaid instalments in the form of a notice allowing a period of six days for payment. In respect of the years mentioned in the question the number of such notices issued was as follows:
1967 — 406,143
1968 — 418,582
1969 (to date) — 64,000, representing reminders for instalments which fell due on 1st May 1969. The number or reminders, which are now issuing, in respect of instalments due on 1st June, 1969, will, it is estimated, be about 150,000.
Could the Minister say when these notices went out in respect of 1969 arrears?
I have not the particulars here but, so far as I know, they were sent out at the normal time. The usual thing is to send out six day notices about six weeks after the due date.
Is it a fact that they were ready for posting three weeks before the election and were deliberaely held back until the election was over?
That is not a fact.