andMr. Cluskey asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that there are over 10,000 applicants for housing on the Dublin Corporation waiting list; that there is no immediate prospect of all the existing applicants being housed; and that the institution of a purchase scheme would seriously affect the existing pool of the corporation's rented accommodation; if he has received any proposals from Dublin Corporation regarding a tenant purchase scheme; and if in view of the fact that it is his policy to encourage tenants to buy their own houses he will state what measures it is proposed to take to control the sale of such houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - Sale of Dublin Corporation Houses.
14.
I am aware that Dublin Corporation have a total of 9,649 applicants on their waiting list of whom 3,924 have already been recommended for rehousing by the Chief Medical Officer. I understand that, on the basis of present trends, the corporation should be in a position to offer accommodation to most, if not all of the families on their existing approved waiting list within the next few years.
Formal proposals for a house-purchase scheme have not yet been submitted to me by the corporation. I have, however, informed them that my agreement to certain changes in their differential rent schemes was conditional on their submitting a scheme.
I do not agree that a scheme under which tenants would be permitted to buy their houses would seriously affect the number of houses available for letting by the corporation. On the contrary, receipts from sales, which must under section 108 of the Housing Act, 1966, be applied to a capital purpose approved by me, would provide a further source of finance for housing purposes.
The conditions to be applied to prevent abuses are a matter in the first instance for the corporation who are aware of the specific powers to be given to them by section 90 of the Act to control re-sales.
May I ask the Minister if it is not the fact that the list of 9,649 persons the corporation has at present would be nearly double but for the fact that the corporation has suspended the condemnation of houses and dwellings in this city on the grounds that they are no longer fit for human habitation since 1963 and will he cause inquiry to be made as to what the true situation is in regard to houses unfit for human occupation whose tenants would automatically be added to this list if appropriate examination and action were taken in regard to them?
I have given the House the up-to-date situation.
Nobody will face that fact, that there are 20,000 persons who have to be re-housed.
Deputy Dillon is concerned that the position is not worse than it is.
I am concerned that the position is appalling.