Vol. 469 No. 6
32 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if he will include some of the provisions, namely, evictions and barring orders, in the proposed anti-social behaviour legislation, to deal with tenant purchasers and private housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17912/96]
67 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment the current status of his plans to bring forward proposals to deal with drug-related problems on local authority estates; the plans, if any, he has to address similar problems being experienced by private landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17850/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 67 together.
The Bill announced by the Government on 9 July to address the problem of anit-social behavour in local authority housing areas is being drafted as a matter of urgency and will be presented to the Dáil as soon as possible.
I have no proposals to extend the measures in the Bill to private housing, including housing which may have been sold under tenant purchase arrangements. It is envisaged, however, that the legislation will provide discretion, in certain circumstances, for health boards to refuse or withdraw assistance under the SWA scheme in respect of rent or mortgage costs of private housing.
I am disappointed with the Minister of State's reply in relation to tenant purchasers. If a local authority sells a house to a tenant it will retain an interest in it for ten to 15 years even if it changes hands four or five times in the intervening period. I ask the Minister of State to look at the matter again before she brings forward the legislation, otherwise everybody will start pretending that they are living in a private house. I can think of areas within my constituency where major problems are being encountered. On barring orders, can one be barred from a particular house, road or entire suburb? Some of the people concerned are very mobile. If it is a question of barring a tenant from a particular house people will start pretending that they are living in the house next door. I ask the Minister of State to reconsider as such narrow legislation will not resolve the problem.
These measures are part of an overall strategy to bring about better estate management. They are the result of considerable consultation, particularly with Dublin Corporation which has problems in dealing with anti-social behaviour related to drug dealing. The Deputy is au fait with this. Drug dealing is largely concentrated in local authority estates.
Not necessarily in local authority houses.
Local authorities are seeking improved powers to deal with this issue. In many cases it would be more appropriate to seek an excluding order than the eviction of an entire family.
In relation to tenant purchasers, where somebody applies to buy a house under the tenant purchase scheme the local authority will have discretion to ensure that a drug dealer who simply wants to open up shop will not be able to do so. The Deputy should be aware that there are certain rights attaching to private property and that a local authority will not own a property once it is sold off. It is extremely important where an approach is made to acquire a house under the tenant purchase scheme that a local authority should have the power to refuse, if necessary. They will be given this power.
If the Bill is too narrow it will not resolve the problem. When will it be introduced?
We hope to introduce it this session. I appreciate the Deputy's concern. The legislation which I regard as a priority is being processed as speedily as possible. It is a complex matter.
It will have to be broadened.
I look forward to receiving the Deputy's support when it is introduced in the House.
