asked the Minister for Local Government if, in respect of local authority houses sold to tenant purchasers during the period 1st January, 1950 to 31st December, 1974, (a) under the Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919 and (b) under all other Acts dealing with the housing of the working classes, by the corporations of each of the boroughs of Galway, Drogheda and Sligo, he will state (i) the total number of such houses sold to tenant purchasers, (ii) the total number of such houses resold by the tenant purchasers and (iii) the number of instances in which the Corporation refused their consent to resale by a tenant purchaser, the reason for such refusal in each case, the address of each house concerned, whether an appeal was made to him and the result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenant Purchase.
As the reply contains a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report. The reply is as follows:
The number of local authority houses sold to tenant purchasers by the Corporations of Drogheda, Galway and Sligo under the Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919, and all other enactments providing for such sales is as follows:
|
Local Authority |
Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919 |
Section 90 of Housing Act, 1966 |
Totals |
|
Galway Corporation |
303 |
151 |
454 |
|
Drogheda Corporation |
561 |
212 |
773 |
|
Sligo Corporation |
610 |
34 |
644 |
These totals include all dwellings sold, either outright or by instalment, by these authorities between the 1st April, 1952 and the 31st March, 1973.
Figures for the period from 1st January, 1950 to the 31st March, 1952, and subsequent to the 31st March, 1973, are not available in my Department. Nor is the information sought in parts (ii) and (iii) of the Deputy's question.
29.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will accept the house purchase scheme submitted to him by Buncrana Urban District Council for sanction in order that the anomalies in the present purchase scheme, where the older houses are costing more than houses more recently built, e.g. a 1954 house costs £900 more than a 1962 house, will be eliminated.
Following discussions between my Department and Buncrana Urban District Council a house purchase scheme was approved which provides for gross sale prices for the houses built in 1954 of £3,639, £3,366, £3,274 depending on the type of house. These prices are subject to generous reductions and a tenant who qualifies for the maximum tenancy discount can purchase his house for as little as £1,647 in the case of the larger house type or £1,392 in the case of the smaller. I might mention that the net prices under the market value pre-1973 scheme for the houses in question were £2,310 for the larger houses and £2,170 for the smaller houses.
For the houses built in 1962 a gross sale price of £3,295 was approved and a tenant of similar standing would pay slightly over £1,400 to purchase. All the prices were determined in accordance with the sales terms introduced by me in July, 1973 and are considered to be equitable to all parties.
Am I to take it from the Minister's lengthy reply that the implications in the question are incorrect?
The Deputy can take that from it.
Will the Minister have the matter investigated because to my knowledge the information contained in the question is correct? If it is not correct, there is great confusion in the Buncrana area and in various other places, noteably Raphoe and Lifford. This anomaly appears to exist. If it does not exist——
This is a specific question relating to Buncrana Urban Council.
I have been given to understand that the information in the question is correct.
The matter has been very fully investigated. If Deputy Blaney takes another look at this, he will see that the people are getting very good value. The arrangements made are in accordance with the terms of the sale scheme, which is the important thing.
Having made the fullest investigations, is the Minister meeting the deputation from the urban council?
That is a separate matter.
I have not got my crystal ball. I am not aware that the urban council are seeking an interview——
Question No. 30.