asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that there is considerable confusion in Limerick city regarding the eligibility of sub-tenants of corporation dwellings for new housing; and if he will clarify the circumstances and conditions under which Limerick Corporation may house sub-tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Housing.
15.
I am not so aware. At present tenancies of local authority houses must be allocated in accordance with the scales of preference prescribed in the Housing (Management and Letting) Regulations, 1950 and 1953. These do not distinguish between persons who have been living as sub-tenants in local authority houses and others, so that sub-tenants, in common with all housing applicants, are entitled in the allocation of houses, to whatever degree of priority their particular circumstances justify.
Under the Housing Act, 1966, each housing authority is required to draw up a scheme of priorities in the allocation of houses having regard to the circumstances in their districts. The existing statutory regulations governing the allocation of local authority houses will cease to have effect when such a scheme comes into force in the area. Limerick Corporation recently submitted for approval such a scheme which, inter alia, provides that priorities will apply equally to occupants of corporation houses and other houses. A decision on this scheme will be conveyed to the corporation as soon as possible.
I hope to be in a position in the very near future to make a full statement with regard to the payment of subsidy in relation to the rehousing of sub-tenants.
Could the Minister say if I am correct in my interpretation of the situation at present, that Limerick Corporation may house sub-tenants in new houses but that the subsidy is cut by 50 per cent if they do so?
Limerick Corporation are required to allocate the same degree of priority to all applicants for houses. The position up to this has been that the increased rate of subsidy was not payable in the case of new sub-tenants. In the very near future, I will make a full statement with regard to the payment of subsidy in relation to the rehousing of sub-tenants.
16.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of new houses provided by Limerick Corporation during 1966; the number of houses at present in the course of construction; the number of applications for houses with Limerick Corporation; and the number of new houses it is proposed to complete during 1967.
Limerick Corporation provided 278 new dwellings in 1966. They have at present 29 dwellings in progress. Work will shortly commence on a further 100 dwellings. It is expected that a scheme of 133 dwellings will be advertised for tender this week and that a further scheme of 215 houses will commence in the latter part of the current year. In addition, the Cork-Limerick special housing project which includes a projected 800 dwellings for Limerick city will be advertised for outline proposals shortly.
There are 579 applicants on the corporation's approved housing list. It is not possible at this stage to say how many dwellings will be completed by the corporation in the current year.