Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 9

Written Answers. - Privatisation of Housing Maintenance Service.

Austin Currie

Question:

58 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to privatise Dublin Corporation's housing maintenance service in line with the commitment of the Minister of State at his Department in May 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

No such commitment was given. In urging Dublin Corporation to secure improvements in their housing maintenance and management operations, Minister of State Stagg suggested that privatisation of the service might arise if the necessary improvements did not take place. It is a matter for the corporation to consider the options for achieving such improvements, and to implement, as quickly as possible, the necessary changes. The Minister of State dealt with the position clearly in his contribution in Seanad Éireann on 2 June, 1993 to a debate on the Government's housing policy. In the course of that statement, he pointed out that the present situation was unsatisfactory and that local authorities must develop new systems of management and maintenance to provide better value for the substantial expenditure — some £80 million annually — on these services. I fully support that view.

Existing legislation enables local authorities to make whatever arrangements they deem appropriate, including the use of outside contractors, for their maintenance operations. In addition, section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, enables housing authorities to delegate housing management functions, including the maintenance of dwellings, to designated bodies representing residents of the area.