asked the Minister for the Environment if he will include cystic fibrosis for consideration in the "overall priority" category when persons seek local authority housing or transfers from local authority housing.
Written Answers. - Housing Letting Priorities.
365.
The making of a scheme of letting priorities in accordance with the requirements of section 60 of the Housing Act, 1966, is primarily a matter for each housing authority. Apart from the requirement in the Act that a housing authority shall have regard to the provision of adequate and suitable housing accommodation for persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, the Act also provides that a scheme may specify that particular priorities shall be accorded to particular categories of persons in the lettings of particular dwellings. In accordance with guidelines issued by my Department, housing authorities can give priority on medical grounds — for example, the Dublin Corporation scheme provides that applicants in special serious health circumstances are considered for housing without reference to points.
In the circumstances, and as I am not aware of any strong case for the alteration of the existing procedure regarding the housing of applicants suffering from cystic fibrosis, I do not consider that a special provision for such applicants is necessary.