asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that six householders at Orchard Lawns, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, are still on bridging finance in respect of SDA loans which were approved almost seven years ago for their houses, because the site fines for the houses have not been paid to Dublin Corporation; if he is further aware that the persons concerned had paid the site fines to Ballyfermot Housing Co-Operative before its collapse; and if, in view of the facts of the matter; he will now authorise Dublin Corporation to dispose of the sites without further charge to the six house-holders affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - SDA Loans.
1010.
I understand from Dublin Corporation that the six houses in question are Nos. 21-26, inclusive, Orchard Lawns, Ballyfermot, which were built by the Ballyfermot Housing Co-operative Limited. The residents of the houses paid amounts ranging from £7,215 to £7,733 to the co-operative in respect of the purchase of the houses from the co-operative. These houses are built on land owned by the corporation and the site fines amount to £1,300 per house. The corporation have not received payment of site fines in respect of these houses and accordingly they cannot transfer title to the occupiers involved. Payment of the site fines to the corporation is a matter for settlement between the occupants of the houses, the co-operative and the corporation.
I have no power to authorise the corporation to dispose of the sites in a manner other than that provided for under the Housing Regulations, 1980. On payment of the site fines, the corporation will make arrangements for payment of the approved SDA loans to the house-holders concerned.