Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 5

Written Answers. - Local Authority Flat Complexes.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

139 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement clarifying the position of local authority flat complexes on the list or due for refurbishment where some of the tenants have applied to purchase their flat while some have not; if he has considered the complex problem which can arise in terms of overall refurbishment where parts of the block are privately owned and parts publicly owned; if he will confirm that applications to purchase flats can proceed as soon as possible after the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1992 and that the subsequent refurbishment of the entire block will in no way be reduced or affected by any flat purchases.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. D. Wallace)

In accordance with the terms of the tenant purchases scheme, it is a matter for the housing authority to make whatever arrangements are necessary to provide for the ongoing management, maintenance, improvement and, where necessary, refurbishment, of flat complexes in which individual flats are sold. It is also a matter for housing authorities to ensure that all other aspects of the sales procedure are now progressed so that sales can proceed as soon as possible after section 26 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1992 in relation to common areas comes into operation.