asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give details of the method by which the Dublin Corporation assess rents on assumed interest from alleged investment of compensation received as a result of an accident, including a case in which the person who received such compensation is disabled to an extent that would make his future prospects of employment slight; what method the Corporation employ to assess the rent of a widow who has been compensated for the loss of her husband as a result of an accident, and who has no income but the widow's pension; when these methods were introduced; if they are being applied retrospectively; and, if so, if people who received compensation several years ago by way of a lump sum may have their rents increased by this practice although in any cases decided prior to the start of the present financial year the courts did not take into account these, extra charges which are now being imposed by the local authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation: Assessment of Rents.
The assessment of the income derived by a tenant or by a member of his family from any particular source is a function of the housing authority concerned and does not require my approval. Information is not, therefore, available to me on details of assessments such as those sought by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that as from the start of the present financial year when people suffer an injury, they are notified of the possible charges that will be levelled against them if they receive. compensation; that prior to that such people got no notification; that people have been assessed for compensation which they received two, three or four years ago on the assumption that the money was invested? Even though the individuals have stated that the money was spent, that they had not got it, the local authority could not be satisfied that these statements were true and, therefore assess the rents on the basis that is is reasonable to expect that the tenants have some interest from an investment. This retrospective type of regulation surely should come under the Minister's attention because it seems most unjust.
Surely it will be agreed that a proportion, in many cases, a very large proportion, of the compensation is in respect of the pain caused and the injuries sustained and is not comparable with wages earned and should not be treated in the same manner as wages are treated and, consequently, should not be assessed?
I can only repeat that this is a matter for the housing authority. At least one of the Deputies raising the question is a member of that body and I feel that more progress could be made by taking the matter up in that body than by referring it to me because I have no function in a matter such as this. It is their function.
We are only rubber stamps.
It is your own fault, if you are only rubber stamps.
It is not. You have it in the Act.