Vol. 221 No. 7
asked the Minister for Local Government whether any local authority compulsorily acquiring land occupied by one of their own tenants may compensate such tenant in respect of loss of income formerly derived from such land; and, if so, the factors which determine the amount of such compensation.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether Dublin Corporation have power to compensate their own tenants in respect of loss of income from market gardening, piggeries and other sources formerly conducted by tenants on land attached to their houses which is now being compulsorily acquired by the corporation; and, if so, the authority for such power, and if not, if he will introduce legislation to permit adequate compensation to be granted to such persons having regard to the considerable hardship being caused to persons who are being deprived of useful sources of income.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
The question of compulsory acquisition by a local authority of land occupied by one of its own tenants does not arise, as such land is held on a week to week basis, and may be repossessed by the authority by terminating the letting agreement.
Ex-gratia payments have been made to tenants by Dublin Corporation in certain cases where portion of the cottage plot, held from the corporation, was repossessed by the authority. There is no specific statutory basis for such payments, the amounts of which were recommended in each case by the corporation's valuer. I am not aware of the basis on which he made his recommendations. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Is the local authority not liable to pay compensation where a cottage is purchased under a tenant purchase scheme?
That would be different from what I have given in reply. It would not be dealt with in the same manner.
The Dublin Corporation acquired some tenant purchase cottages which formerly had been under the Dublin County Council and so far as I know no compensation has yet been paid.
The only thing I can suggest is that if the Deputy has any specific cases in mind, I will have a look at them.
