Vol. 494 No. 6
117 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 616 of 30 September 1998, the current weekly payments in rent supplements in respect of tenancies at the property; and if he will request the Eastern Health Board to carry out a further check on the standard of accommodation supplied. [18999/98]
Rent supplement to a total value of £303.70 per week is in payment in respect of eight tenancies at the premises in question.
An official of the Eastern Health Board visited the premises on Tuesday, 29 September 1998. He has reported that while he was unable to gain access to any of the individual apartments further remedial work was in progress in the building and the landlord, who was on site, has confirmed that will be ongoing.
Responsibility for housing policy lies with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and with local authorities. This includes any matters relating to standards of accommodation, planning permission, registration of landlords, housing regulations and fire safety. If, however a health board feels that a premises where a rent supplement is being paid is not up to an acceptable fire-safety standard, then the matter is brought to the attention of the local authority.
