asked the Minister for Local Government if he will request Dublin County Council to desist from the practice of deducting some 20 points from the total points allocated to a housing applicant in the event of his being obliged to seek an allocation outside his own housing area; and if he is aware that most housing applicants in, for example, the Ballybrack housing area are penalised because no houses have been built in their area for many years and therefore they have no option but to seek accommodation in the Dundrum and other housing areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Allocation Points System.
21.
Under the Housing Act. 1966, it is a matter for each housing authority to decide the terms of their scheme of letting priorities, which are then subject to my approval. In the case of Dublin County Council, the approved scheme includes a clause giving special priority in letting dwellings to natives of the general area in which the dwellings are situate.
I am reluctant to interfere with what the county council think is the best scheme for their area. Having regard to the special pressures on them for housing from families who come into the Dublin area, their desire to give special priority to local applicants is understandable.
I am aware of the hardship which these priorities might entail in an area, such as Ballybrack, where there is little on-going house building activity by the council at present. I hope that the position in Ballybrack will be improved substantially within the next few years by participation by the council in the Government's emergency supplemental housing programme. In the meantime, I would suggest that the Deputy might ask the council to consider whether any special action may be required by way of modification of the approved scheme to meet any such cases of hardship. I will give my decision quickly on any modification which the council may propose for this purpose.
Would the Minister accept that a provision of that nature made by a local authority is unduly harsh, bearing in mind that one already has to satisfy a 4-year residential qualification to get on the Dublin County Council list? For example, somebody living in Stillorgan, where no houses are being built, might have to opt for a house in Dundrum, half a mile away, but because it is another housing area he is automatically docked 20 points. The Minister might bear in mind the representations of Deputies in that regard. I appreciate the limitations on ministerial action in the matter but the councils are "ghettoising" people in housing areas for administrative convenience.
That statement is a bit long.
Local authorities have been encouraged to get rid of restrictive residential clauses in letting priorities for schemes as far as possible. There is good reason why the council consider it would not be right to remove this one in particular. Perhaps representations to them in special cases might be the answer.