asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure that Kildare County Council will offer terms under the 1973 purchase scheme to the residents of the Highfield Estate, Kilcock.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Purchase Scheme.
25.
I understand from Kildare County Council that these houses were not included in the October, 1973 sales scheme made by the local authority because the houses were not completed at that time and the all in cost was not established until January, 1975. The authority have no record of the receipt of applications or inquiries from the residents relating to the purchase of their houses prior to the deadline of 31st March, 1975 set for the acceptance of applications under the 1973 scheme.
Some months ago, the Highfield Park Residents Association represented to me that a number of tenants had made inquiries relating to the purchase of their houses prior to the deadline. In the circumstances, I recommend to the association that, in order to enable the local authority to examine the matter further, the tenants who indicated to officials of the authority prior to 31st March, 1975, that they wished to purchase their houses might submit an appropriate statutory declaration to the authority. It is understood from Kildare County Council that a substantial number of statutory declarations were received recently and that these are now being examined.
Is it not a fact that those statutory declarations have been with Kildare County Council for the last few months? Are they not at the point of making a decision?
If the Deputy knows so much about it, it is surprising he should ask me the question.
I know there is a possibility that it may be refused. That is why I put down the question. I want to find out whether it is the Minister or the manager who is the responsible person.
The Deputy is not always right in the information which he gets.