Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 7

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Michael Bell

Question:

63 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment if local authorities are required to review their letting priorities for local authority houses; if so, if this should be done on a yearly basis; if not the plans, if any, there are to issue regulations or directives to local authorities to annually review housing letting priorities; and his views on whether the categories of housing applicants have changed very dramatically over the last 20 years and that local authorities would want to review and update their policies in this regard so that county managers can exercise their responsibility based on the criteria set down by the elected members of local authorities. [15871/95]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin):

Under section 11 of the Housing Act, 1988, the making or amendment of a scheme of letting priorities is a reserved function of the elected members; it is a matter for them to decide on the frequency with which they wish to review a scheme.

In recognition of the changes which have taken place in housing needs over the years, section 9 of the Housing Act, 1988 sets out a broad range of categories of need to be reflected in schemes of letting priorities.

I am satisfied that the existing statutory framework for the making of these schemes affords housing authorities adequate flexibility to review and update their schemes as they find necessary.