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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1974

Vol. 79 No. 3

Housing Act, 1969 (Continuance) Order, 1974: Motion.

I move:

That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft:

Housing Act, 1969 (Continuance) Order, 1974,

a copy of which Order in draft form was laid before Seanad Éireann on the 2nd December, 1974.

The Housing Act, 1969, is a temporary measure which will expire on 31st December, 1974, unless continued in force by an order made by me after it has been approved by resolution by each House of the Oireachtas. The object of the draft order is to continue the Act in force for three years ending 31st December, 1977.

The Act was introduced in July, 1969, for the purpose of controlling the unwarranted demolition or change of use of habitable houses. It places in the hands of a housing authority the power to control demolition and change of use of habitable houses by providing that such houses may not be demolished or put to other use without their permission. The authority may refuse permission or grant it with or without conditions. In deciding an application for permission a housing authority is obliged under the Act to have regard to the state of repair of the house and to the adequacy of the supply of housing in its functional area.

Practically all of the activity under the Act has been in the cities of Dublin and Cork, where the volume of building and reconstruction work has been greatest. Dublin Corporation received 691 applications for permission from July, 1969, up to the end of September last. Of these 424 were granted and 267 were refused. In the same period Cork Corporation received 146 applications and of these 107 were granted and 39 were refused.

An applicant who is refused permission by the housing authority or who is granted permission subject to conditions has the right of appeal to the Minister against the refusal or against the conditions imposed. Up to the end of November this year 313 appeals were received. Of these 12 were invalid because they were not received within the statutory period, 58 were withdrawn, 157 were determined and 86 pere under consideration.

I am satisfied that the Act has had worthwhile effects in reducing the loss of habitable dwellings by demolition or change of use. The results of the returns of operations under it indicate so and to them must be added the unquantifiable number of other dwellings that have been saved by the deterrent effects of the Act's very existence.

Although progress in achieving the house building targets set by the Government has been satisfactory I consider that it is still essential to retain for a further period the controls provided by the 1969 Act.

I commend the motion to the House.

I support the motion. It is very important to ensure that the pool of housing we have should be maximised as much as possible. The effect of this order is to ensure that refusal to demolish a habitable dwelling may be given by the local authority for the purpose of providing accommodation. This is a very practical and sensible provision in the 1969 Act. The only query I would raise is why not have it as a permanent piece of legislation? Why is it on a temporary basis, which is the reason for the Parliamentary Secretary coming before this House with an order to again achieve this very desirable purpose for a further three years?

It is envisaged that we could have legislation next year. The point the Senator made will be taken into consideration.

Question put and agreed to.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries is not available and I propose that the House adjourn until 5 p.m.

Business suspended at 4.15 p.m. and resumed at 5 p.m.

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