asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared, if necessary, by the introduction of proposals for legislation, to give the same benefit, by way of reduced purchase annuities, to occupiers of board of health (county council) vested cottages, as extended some months ago to occupiers of unvested cottages who may in the future acquire their cottages under the Labourers Act, 1936.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cottage Dwellers' Annuities.
The implementation of the suggestion in the first part of the Deputy's question would involve legislation. I understand that the administrative decision of the 9th March last affecting the terms of purchase of unvested cottages was based on representations from representative bodies including the County Councils' General Council. No similar representations have been received in support of a statutory revision of the terms attaching to the purchase of vested cottages.
In view of the fact that there must be preferential treatment given to one section, that is, the unvested cottages, as against the vested, will the Minister give an answer to my question and say whether he is prepared to introduce the necessary legislation?
I have told the Deputy that the administrative decision of the 9th March resulted from a recommendation received from a number of influential bodies, including the General Council of County Councils. These bodies made no reference to the matter which the Deputy refers to in this particular question. For my part, apart altogether from the receipt of any such representations, I would prefer to wait and see how the administrative decision of the 9th March works out before considering the other and wider question.
Is it not clear that I am to take it that the Minister is not prepared to do anything in this matter?
It would be fair to take it that the Minister will approach this, as he will approach every other matter that arises, in a reasonable way.