asked the Minister for Local Government if his recent decision with regard to housing subsidies and their effect on the rates has resulted in the removal of responsibility for housing from the local authorities and an effective nationalisation of local authority housing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Responsibility.
38.
The answer is "No". The transfer of a substantial part of the cost of local authority housing subsidies to the Exchequer in the current financial year will only change the financing arrangements but will not affect the various administrative and statutory responsibilities of local authorities for housing. In fact, the direct administrative responsibilities of the authorities have been extended recently and I intend to continue this process of devolution.
As from the 1st April, 1973, local authorities have been given responsibility for the planning and acceptance of tenders in schemes of 24 dwellings or less and for all rural cottages, demountable and pre-fabricated dwellings. It was intended that this arrangement would be extended to schemes of up to 50 houses as from 1st April, 1974. However, I have directed that this further extension be made effective as quickly as administrative arrangements will allow during the present financial year. All the existing statutory duties and responsibilities with regard to the allocation and management of their own dwellings and in relation to other dwellings in their areas remain with the authorities.