asked the Minister for Local Government if his recent plan to reduce the rent of local authority houses will mean a reduction in the income of local authority rent collectors who are paid on a percentage basis; and, if so, how he proposes to make good this loss.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rent Collectors' Remuneration.
115.
I presume the Deputy is referring to rent collectors who are paid on a fee-per-cottage plus percentage commission basis. It is likely to be some time before local authorities are in a position to assess accurately the effect on the income of the rent collectors in question of any reductions in the amount of rents to be collected.
The initiative in revising the remuneration of rent collectors rests with the local authorities and there is no question of any action on my part except in the event of proposals for such revisions being submitted by local authorities.
The Minister will appreciate that action on his part could lead to a loss in the remuneration of these people, and does he not think further action on his part is warranted to redress this wrong?
I want to assure the Deputy that I have no intention of taking over the rights of local authorities. They have the authority and the right to do this, and if they want to do so I shall be glad to consider it favourably.
The initial wrong——
There is no wrong involved. If Deputy Power or the Fianna Fáil Party want to claim that reducing cottage rents is wrong because it may reduce the income of some rent collectors, then they must say so.
I have referred to the reduction of the income of rent collectors. The Minister should not twist my words.
Does Deputy Power suggest we should increase cottage rents in order that the rent collector's income should be increased?
(Interruptions.)
Could we have from the Minister clarification as to the apparent contradiction that arises from his various statements in answer to questions today? On the one hand, he is giving freedom to local authorities, while, on the other hand, laudable though it may be in a particular case, he dictates to them what they should do.
I am a little surprised that Deputy Blaney, a former Minister for Local Government, does not know the powers of a Minister. We are entitled to tell local authorities what the scale of rents should be. We are also entitled to say the local authorities have certain rights themselves, and I do not propose to interfere with them.
Not at all?
Not in regard to the rents Deputy Power is talking about.