asked the Minister for Local Government why he has failed to get returns from housing authorities indicating the number of applications received by them for local authority houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Applicants.
16.
I presume the Deputy's question arises from the tabular statement circulated with my reply to Question No. 29 of 27th January, 1976, from which it was apparent that a number of housing authorities had not at that date furnished information about housing applicants which is sought by my Department from time to time.
Returns have now been received in my Department from 71 housing authorities and I understand that the rest of the authorities are compiling the information as quickly as they can. Some of them do not maintain waiting lists, but advertise dwellings for letting when they are being built. While I believe that authorities generally should keep waiting lists, I have been reluctant to force them to do so, because I consider that local authorities themselves know best how to deal with their own affairs.
Is the Minister aware of an apparent failure on the part of his Department to acquire up-to-date figures in respect of those in need of rehousing as at 30th September last from about 36 housing authorities, including at least eight county councils and three county borough corporations? Can this be taken as an indication of a lack of interest on the part of the Minister in dealing equally and fairly with the requirements of each housing authority?
There was a reference a few moments ago to somebody not reading his brief properly, but might I suggest that Deputy O'Leary, who should know about these matters, would be helped by reading his brief before beginning to ask questions. There is no statutory obligation on housing authorities to supply the information to the Department. The statutory requirement in the matter derives from section 53 of the Housing Act, 1966, which imposes a duty on housing authorities to inspect houses in their area and to assess the adequacy of the supply and condition of housing. It does not require them to submit the assessment to the Minister, nor is there any requirement of my approval. It is only since I took over that information of this kind has been brought up-to-date. If the Deputy read up on the matter he would understand that was so and he would not ask a question that has boomeranged on himself.
Surely it is the duty of any Minister to find out the overall housing requirements in the country? How does he propose to get this information except through the local housing authorities?
I have asked them for it. The Ministers in Fianna Fáil Governments did not think it was necessary and they never asked for it.
That is not so.
Yes, that is the position.
Will the Minister tell the House how he bases his allocation of funds to housing authorities when he does not require them to submit returns? He has told the House that it is not obligatory on them to submit the returns.
The 1966 Act, which the Fianna Fáil Government put through this House, did not impose on them the requirement to make returns. Since I became Minister I have asked that the information be given to me. Because I do not want to introduce a Bill that would compel them to give the information, I have been dealing with the matter in a way that has brought results. They are slower than I would like, but they are returning the information. This should be obvious to the Deputy.
Is the Minister saying—
I am calling Question No. 17.