asked the Minister for Local Government if returning emigrants receive any priority in the letting of local authority houses; and, if not, if he will have the regulations amended to cater for such persons.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority House Letting.
35.
The priorities accorded to categories of persons in the letting of dwellings provided by housing authorities are determined by schemes adopted by these authorities under section 60 of the Housing Act, 1966. Generally, no special priority has been so determined for returning emigrants. I consider that it would not be appropriate to require authorities to vary their schemes of letting priorities in order to accord a special priority which has regard to an objective other than those specified in subsection (3) of section 60 of the 1966 Act, such as the closure or demolition of unfit houses and the elimination of overcrowding. In any event, I regard the local authority as best qualified to decide the letting priorities in their own areas.
Will the Minister say if any houses were given to people from abroad?
I would not be aware of this. Naturally the Deputy will understand and he would agree that it would be deplorable if local authorities gave houses to people living in other countries while there were suitable applicants in the locality.
Frequently there are applications from emigrants living in poor housing conditions in London and Glasgow. They apply for houses at home.
Surely the Deputy is not suggesting that the Department would send inspectors to look at housing conditions in cities abroad? We are talking about one of the priorities laid down in the Act introduced by the previous Government, and it is one with which I agree.