Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 2

Written Answers. - Housing Legislation.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

119 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends that the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1996, will apply to all local authority tenants, whether housed or occupying other units of local authority accommodation, including permanent and transient halting sites; if he will confirm receipt of two letters on this subject dated 2 February and 11 February 1997 from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 who has not received a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6519/97]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

The primary purpose of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1996, is to provide for a range of measures to assist local authorities in addressing problems arising on their housing estates from drug dealing and related serious anti-social behaviour. The provisions in the Bill will apply to travellers who are tenants of local authority housing, whether standard housing or group housing, in the same way as to any other tenant.

I believe that the issue of applying, in the case of travellers halting sites, similar measures to those in the Housing Bill should be considered in the context of the legislation being prepared arising from the National Strategy on Traveller Accommodation. Replies to this effect are issuing to the letters referred to.