asked the Minister for the Environment if there are significant variations between the criteria used in the allocation of council houses by local authorities; and if he will indicate the main areas of divergence.
Written Answers. - Council Houses' Allocation Criteria.
280.
Under section 60 of the Housing Act, 1966, the making of a scheme which determines the priorities to be accorded to categories of persons in the letting of dwellings provided by a housing authority is primarily a matter for each authority.
Schemes must be made in accordance with the Act and section 60 provides that in making a scheme, authorities must have regard to:—
(a) the repair, closure or demolition of houses which are unfit in any respect for human habitation;
(b) the elimination of overcrowding;
(c) the provision of adequate and suitable housing accommodation for persons (including elderly or disabled persons) who in the opinion of the housing authority are in need of and are unable to provide such accommodation from their own resources;
(d) the provision of adequate and suitable housing accommodation for persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Guidelines have also been issued by my Department suggesting a scale of priorities in order to assist authorities to achieve uniformity in regard to fundamental standards. However, the principal objective in giving authorities the power to draw up schemes is to evolve schemes which are suited to local conditions. This enables local representatives, who know the specific housing requirements of their areas to cater in their schemes for the particular housing needs of the areas. In practice there are a number of areas of divergence, involving such matters as the inclusion or exclusion of residence qualifications and the adoption or non-adoption of a points system.