asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to direct local authorities to waive the local residential qualification period required for approval of applications for housing where Army and Naval personnel are transferred from one part of the country to another; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Residential Qualification.
49.
The adoption of schemes of letting priorities is a matter for each housing authority who may, if they see fit, include in this scheme, a clause specifying a minimum period of residence. I do not propose to issue a general direction as suggested by the Deputy.
A limited number of housing authorities have incorporated such a residence clause in their schemes because they consider it essential to ensure that available dwellings are let to families in the greatest need of rehousing, including families who may have been on this waiting list for a long time.
While I encourage authorities generally to modify or discontinue such clauses as soon as possible, I would not feel justified in directing them, against their local judgment, to waive the clause in favour of any particular category of applicant.
Surely the Minister will agree that where Army and Navy personnel are transferred, by direction of the Minister for Defence, not necessarily having served the minimum four or five year period of residence in an area, they should be given some consideration in the form of a recommendation from the Minister instead of being virtually debarred from having their names put on any housing list?
In the first place, it is optional for the local authority to have a residence clause. I am not anxious that they should have such a clause but, if they so decide, that is their prerogative. I do not think what Deputy Desmond suggests would be justified. I am anxious at all times to ensure that the most deserving on the waiting list get whatever houses are available. I do not think a special case could be made here because there may be others much more deserving who would be by-passed by the persons mentioned by the Deputy if they were given special consideration.
It is not true that the local authorities are not allowed to rehouse someone living outside their own particular areas. If that were not so, then local authorities would be unable to get the loans and grants from the Government for local housing needs.
That is so, generally speaking.