Vol. 508 No. 4
191 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that section 53 of the Housing Act, 1966, is being implemented by all local authorities; and, if so, the way in which this is achieved. [19199/99]
Section 53 of the Housing Act, 1966, was repealed and replaced by section 8 of the Housing Act, 1988. Section 8 of the 1988 Act has not been commenced. However, local authorities carried out assessments of housing requirements for their areas in the early 1990s on a non-statutory basis.
192 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has issued guidelines to local authorities outlining a criteria by which they may allocate public housing; if so, if he will give details in this regard; and, if not, the plans, if any, he has to do so. [19201/99]
Local authorities are required to let houses in accordance with a scheme of letting priorities made by each authority under section 11 of the Housing Act, 1988. My Department issued explanatory notes and guidelines to local authorities in 1989 on the making by authorities of such schemes for the first time under the 1988 Act and advising authorities that it should be the aim of their schemes to promote equality of access to local authority housing based on relative housing needs. Subject to compliance with section 11 and regard being had to the guidelines, it is a matter for each local authority to determine the detailed criteria to be included in its scheme of letting priorities. The making or amendment of a scheme is a reserved function of the elected members of the authority. The letting of houses in accordance with the scheme of letting priorities is an executive function performable by the manager.
