asked the Minister for Local Government if he will instruct local authorities to assess differential rents on basic wages and not on overtime earnings and bonus payments.

The answer is "No". Proposals for changes in differential rent schemes are matters in the first instance for the local authority, who must take into account the resulting loss which has to be paid for by other tenants and the rest of the community, many of whom could have lower incomes than the recipients of the payments mentioned by the Deputy.

Is the Minister aware that, in very many cases, overtime is worked to provide the extra necessaries of life for many families and that the breadwinner jeopardises his health and forfeits his free time in order to do so? This instruction from the Minister to local authorities imposes this penalty on those hardworking people. If it happened in the case of private landlords court action could be taken against them.

The differential rents schemes are a matter in the first instance for the local authorities. There are no instructions from the Minister.

The directive came from the Minister for Local Government.

Local authorities have an obvious duty to ensure that the rents are charged in proportion to the capacity of the tenants to pay them.

Overtime should not be taken into consideration at all. It should be the basic wage only.

Is it the general practice of local authorities that overtime is taken into consideration?

It is a matter for local authorities.

Individual local authorities?

It is the general practice?

Will the Minister for Local Government answer me?

I was asked if I would instruct local authorities to assess differential rents on basic wages only and the answer is "No."

Is it the general policy of local authorities to enforce this?

It is the practice of a number of local authorities.

Is Deputy O'Connell a member of a local authority?

I am addressing the Minister. Remember that.

Next question.