asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state why he refused the request of the Dublin Corporation for permission to reintroduce a tenant house-purchase scheme, and whether, in view of the fact that such a scheme is being eagerly sought by workers for whom the corporation cannot cater under normal housing regulations and who cannot make the relatively substantial deposit required under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, or purchase houses through insurance companies or building societies, he will reconsider the matter.

The Dublin Corporation's proposal to introduce a tenant house-purchase scheme was submitted to me on 26th May, 1949. As with other proposals of this kind received from a number of local authorities, the proposal was not approved on the grounds that the activities of the corporation should be fully directed towards the provision of houses for letting to families living in unhealthy and overcrowded conditions.

No evidence was supplied to me that such a scheme was sought by the classes eligible for rehousing.

If the corporation, however, wish me to reconsider the matter in the light of any evidence available to them, I will do so on the receipt of a request from them.