Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
580 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he expects all local authorities to observe and implement the Housing Acts; if he received confirmation to this effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9022/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Local authorities are mandated under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2002, inclusive, to carry out a range of housing functions, including the carrying out of assessments of social housing need and the development of housing strategies. As well as the provision of local authority housing, a range of additional schemes and grants are operated by local authorities under the Acts to improve existing dwellings and facilitate the provision of private dwellings.
While local authorities are responsible and accountable for the performance of their housing functions, my Department administers great support across a range of housing programmes. It also collates information from local authorities on progress. Key elements of the information are regularly published in my Department's quarterly bulletin on housing statistics.
Responsibility for allocating housing to applicants is assigned to a local authority acting in accordance with the statutory scheme of letting priorities made by it. While the Minister exercises the function of approving overall schemes he is legally precluded from involvement in the administration of individual cases. Issues regarding them may be raised with the local authority concerned.
