asked the Minister for Local Government if he received on the 16th August, 1968 a unanimous request from Kildare County council to amend the Housing Act, 1966 to permit the council to make a scheme under the Labourers Act, 1936 for houses in course of erection on 1st January, 1966; and if he is prepared to introduce the necessary legislation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Act, 1966.
24.
I received the request referred to, but I do not propose to promote the desired amendment of section 94 of the Housing Act, 1966, which was passed by the Dáil without objection.
While a purchase scheme under the 1936 Act cannot be made in respect of the houses, the council may, at their discretion, prepare a scheme providing for the sale of these houses under section 90 of the Housing Act, 1966, on the basis of their market or replacement value, less a discount not exceeding two per cent for each year after five during which an intending purchaser has continuously been a tenant of a local authority dwelling, subject to a maximum discount of 30 per cent; for houses outside built-up areas, the figures are three per cent and 45 per cent, respectively.
Does the Minister not consider it is rather bad luck on the people who are already there and have houses that were actually in course of erection on the date which, in fact, were not erected due to delay by the contractors concerned?
Any time limit gives rise to cases like that. There has to be some date fixed.
"In the course of erection" is different from "erection afterwards".