asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider extending for a period the current Corporation tenant purchase scheme in Waterford City; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenant Purchase Scheme.
19.
When the new terms of sale for local authority houses were introduced by me, with the approval of the Government, in July, 1973, it was announced that schemes made under the new terms would remain valid until 31st December, 1973. That date was subsequently extended to 31st May, 1974, and later to 1st January, 1975. The Government decided on this last date as it was felt that almost a year and a half was ample time for a local authority to prepare a scheme under the new terms and to notify the tenants in their area of the availability of the scheme. I realise that some local authorities have had genuine difficulties in the preparation of their schemes and that Waterford Corporation notified their tenants of the house prices in the scheme only last month. However, the tenants will have a reasonable time for deciding on purchase in the three-and-a-half months since the date they were notified of prices and the expiry date of the scheme. Consequently, I do not think that an extension of the period of the scheme is warranted.
I would like to point out that all tenants whose applications are received by local authorities on or before 1st January, 1975, can benefit from the terms of the current schemes and that they do not have to make a final decision on purchase before that date. Consequently, I would urge Deputies to encourage tenants in their area who may be interested in purchase to submit their applications on or before 1st January, 1975.