asked the Minister for Local Government when it is intended to bring into operation section 70 (c) of the Housing Act, 1966, which guarantees the provision of adequate water, accommodation and cooking facilities in corporation and county council dwellings; and if he will state the extent, if any, to which these facilities are currently provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Bye-Laws.
112.
Section 70 of the Housing Act, 1966, which requires local authorities to make bye-laws in relation to rented houses, has been in operation since the 31st December, 1966. Under subsection (5) of the section, the obligation to make such bye-laws does not have effect where bye-laws made under section 20 of the Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919, are in force in the area of a housing authority.
One of the purposes of bye-laws under section 70 is to ensure the provision of water supplies and of accommodation—but not facilities—for the cooking of food. Local authority dwellings generally have adequate and readily accessible water supplies and accommodation for cooking available to them.