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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 2

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Question:

134 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 11 May 1999, he will further explain the figure of 3,500 in terms of the category vacancies in existing stock; the way in which this figure was arrived at; its difference in terms of previous years' vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13334/99]

The reference to 3,500 vacancies in existing stock relates to the number of casual vacancies in local authority rented accommodation units that is estimated will arise during the course of this year. The number of casual vacancies in 1998 was 3,378 and 3,795 in 1997.

Question:

135 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the variety of letting schemes in operation by local authorities; the plans, if any, he has to adopt a unified scheme of letting priorities in each housing authority; his views on the need for this unified approach to the issue of assessing housing need and informing applicants of their position on these lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13335/99]

Each local authority is required under section 11 of the Housing Act, 1988, to make a scheme of letting priorities to determine the order of priority to be afforded to applicants in the lettings of dwellings provided by the authority. The making or amendment of a scheme of letting priorities is a reserved function of the elected members of the authority and is subject to ministerial approval to ensure that an adopted scheme is in accordance with statutory requirements and that all categories of need specified in section 9(2) of the 1988 Act are covered by the scheme. The order of priority of different categories of persons to be set in a scheme of letting priorities and the other detailed contents of a scheme are entirely a matter for decision by the local authority.

Local authorities were advised, in guidelines issued by my Department subsequent to the passing of the 1988 Act, that it should be the aim of a scheme of letting priorities to promote equality of opportunity in getting access to local authority housing based on relative housing needs to ensure that a dwelling, if suitable, is let to the person in greatest need and to ensure that no category of needy persons is at a permanent disadvantage vis à vis other categories.

I have no proposals to introduce a uniform scheme of letting priorities for all local authorities.

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