Local Authority Housing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

Questions (804, 805)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

820 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the proposal for the introduction of a sale of flats scheme submitted to his office in February 2006 by Dublin City Council; if he has accepted in principle that the scheme will proceed; if heads of a Bill have been drafted; when he expects the legislative changes to be published; if the legislation will be enacted by December 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25560/06]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

No further proposal from Dublin City Council in relation to the sale of flats has been received. In December 2005, with the approval of the Government, I announced a New Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities. This sets out the key elements of the Government's vision for housing policy over the coming years. One of these elements is the introduction in 2007 of a new tenant purchase scheme for local authority tenants, which will allow for the sale of local authority flats under certain conditions. Legislation to underpin the new tenant purchase scheme will be made in a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill currently being prepared by my Department.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

821 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of an application by Killarney Town Council for funding for the installation of gas heating in apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25574/06]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

My Department received an application in April 2006 from Killarney Town Council seeking capital funding for the replacement of a central heating system in a block of apartments. As this is a relatively recently completed development, my Department is seeking further information from the Town Council in relation to the proposal.