Vol. 492 No. 4
255 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if it is his Department's policy that local authorities purchase private houses to house local authority tenants; if so, if there is a limit on the number of houses that may be purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14403/98]
256 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of houses in private estates bought by Cork Corporation and Cork County Council to house local authority tenants. [14404/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.
Local authorities may purchase private houses as part of their authorised annual housing programme where the cost of the purchase can be met from the authority's capital allocation and the purchase represents a cost-effective and economical means of meeting housing needs. The approval of my Department is not required for the purchase of individual houses. It is a matter for the authorities, to consider the extent to which the purchase of private houses should be included in their authorised programme.
Information on the number of houses purchased by local authorities, including Cork Corporation and Cork County Council, is published in the Department's housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Information on the number of houses purchased by any local authority in private estates, in former local authority estates or otherwise is not available in the Department.
