asked the Minister for Local Government the total amount to date of unpaid rents and rates resulting from rent and rate strikes over the past 12 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unpaid Rents and Rates.
69.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
The figures for the 12 month period mentioned by the Deputy are not available.
There are currently rent disputes in progress in eight local authority areas. The amounts estimated to be due to the local authorities as a result of these disputes, as at the 10th November, 1972, in so far as the information is available in my Department were as follows:
|
Local Authority |
Estimated amount due to the local authority |
|
£ |
|
|
Cork Corporation |
57,000 |
|
Drogheda Corporation |
85,000 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Corporation |
9,750 |
|
Dublin Corporation |
Not available |
|
Limerick Corporation |
47,000 |
|
Dublin County Council |
18,000 |
|
Tralee Urban District Council |
24,000 |
|
Macroom Urban District |
|
|
Council |
1,600 |
The Minister has given figures before that were at variance with the figures given by the Cork city manager.
If the Deputy has information of this kind and lets me have it I will check it out.
Will the Minister clarify it then?
I will examine any information the Deputy supplies to me and see if it is correct.
70.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement with regard to his Department's attitude to the recent decision taken by the Dublin County Council Tenants' Association to escalate their rents and rates strike; and if he is prepared to receive a deputation from that body to discuss ways of resolving this matter.
I understand that some tenants of Dublin County Council are withholding rents in protest against the terms of the purchase scheme introduced last year. Following discussions with representatives of the tenants the council prepared a draft new purchase scheme which was submitted to my Department on 16th October, 1972. The terms of this scheme are being considered and a decision will be issued to the council as soon as possible.
As regards the last part of the Deputy's question, the council have conveyed to me the views of the tenants as outlined in their discussions. I do not consider, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served by my meeting a deputation from the tenants.
Does the Minister anticipate that it will take much time to consider the recommendations?
I do not think it will take very long.