Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
430. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Mayo County Council is the only local authority in the county refusing to facilitate the transfer of rental accommodation scheme payments to capital assistance scheme funded projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25249/14]
View answerMy Department has been advised that, contrary to what is implied in the question, Mayo County Council is not refusing to facilitate any aspect of the transfer of households between the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) where appropriate. The Council has currently 272 units of CAS accommodation funded under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, involving 30 different Approved Housing Bodies throughout the County.
A specific issue has arisen in Claremorris concerning existing RAS and Local Authority tenants that have been nominated by Mayo County Council into a new development. The Council has requested information from the Voluntary Body concerned to support the justification for the level of rents being charged by the Body in respect of that development, as the housing authority needs to satisfy itself that best value for money is being obtained and that a fair and equitable rent is being applied. My Department has been assured that as soon as a response is received by the Council the matter will be given prompt attention.
