asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a full statement on the provision of fully-serviced housing sites at approximately half the current market price in the Leixlip area, County Kildare, to speculative builders; and the criterion involved in assessing to whom such sites could be sold; and the names and addresses of buyers of these subsidised sites.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Housing Estates.
32.
Under section 88 of the Housing Act, 1966, local authorities may sell, lease or exchange land acquired by them for the purposes of the Act.
In accordance with the Housing Authorities (Borrowing and Management) Regulations, 1974, building sites sold, leased or exchanged under section 88 of the Act must be disposed of at a price not less than the cost to the local authority of acquiring and developing the sites, including administrative costs, less the equivalent of any site subsidy.
I understand from Kildare County Council that, in the case of the serviced sites in the Leixlip area provided by them, the sale price per site is in accordance with these regulations and that, as far as the local authority is aware, no sites have been sold to speculative builders. One site only has been allocated to each applicant on condition that the applicant would erect thereon a house for his own occupation. I also understand that no applications have been received from any applicants to sell their interests in the sites allocated to them. In addition, the local authority has indicated that no applications have yet been received from persons in respect of whom subsidy would be payable. Subsidy has not been paid by my Department in respect of any of the sites. The question of supplying the names and addresses of buyers of subsidised sites does not, therefore. arise.
Would the Minister confirm for me that the sale price of these sites is, without doubt and without equivocation, not less than the cost to the State and to the local county council?
Yes, the cost to the local authority of acquiring and developing the sites, including administrative costs, less the equivalent of any site subsidy.
There is no loss of funds to the Exchequer?
No. In accordance with the housing regulations——
I know the regulations but, in this specific instance, is the Minister quite happy there is no loss of revenue?
Yes. That is my information.
Can the Minister stand over that?
That is the information available to me. It is in accordance with the regulations.
With respect, the Minister either stands over it or he does not.
I stand over the information I have already given to the Deputy and the information is that what has happened is in accordance with the regulations. If the Deputy has any further information I shall be quite happy to get it.
I am quite happy with the Minister's reply.
Do the costs include interest carrying charges as well as administrative costs?
Not less than the costs to the local authority. That is the first part so that would be included in the costs of the local authority.
Is it just simply the acquisition costs of the total land or the interest costs incurred by the local authority between the time of purchase and the time of disposal as well as the administrative costs?
All costs, I would take it, are costs to the local authority.