Vol. 456 No. 6
97 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment the criteria set down by his Department for the letting of local authority houses; the role, if any, that can be played by elected members in the letting procedures; the rights, if any, they have in deciding the criteria or procedures to be followed by County Managers or housing officers for the letting of such houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14390/95]
Local authorities are required to let houses in accordance with a scheme of letting priorities made under section 11 of the Housing Act, 1988. My Department issued explanatory notes and guidelines to housing authorities in 1989 on the making by authorities of such schemes. Subject to compliance with section 11 and regard being had to the guidelines, it is a matter for each housing authority to determine the detailed criteria to be included in their scheme of letting priorities. The making or amendment of a scheme is a reserved function of the elected members of the authority. The letting of houses in accordance with the scheme of letting priorities is an executive function performable by the manager.
