Vol. 494 No. 3
234 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider the creation of a single housing test and housing programme for Dublin Corporation, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown county councils under the leadership of the Dublin city manager to plan and implement immediately a strategic social housing programme for Dublin's 13,000 homeless families. [18205/98]
It is a matter for the authorities concerned to consider the setting up of a single housing list and the co-ordination of their housing programmes. There are extensive provisions within the local government and housing codes for joint action and co-operation by local authorities in relation to housing as well as other services. The Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1993, recognised the need for a special co-ordination mechanism between the Dublin authorities in the discharge of their functions and responsibilities in the new situation. Section 32 of the Act places a duty on the Dublin authorities, in formulating policies and in preparing and carrying out functional programmes, to have regard to and promote the metropolitan interest, that is, the overall interests of the combined administrative areas and their inhabitants. The onus is on the corporation to develop as they see fit the various approaches to enable them meet their responsibilities in relation to new housing needs arising in their area and the provision of an overall better housing service to the public.
I understand that Dublin Corporation is considering the co-ordination of its housing activities with those of the other Dublin local authorities.
