Grants for housing trust improvements
O’Brien urged grant support to prevent deterioration of housing trust properties, citing rent controls and the Iveagh Trust. Barrett had no proposal for house-improvement grants but was willing to consider the situation through another approach.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any proposals to aid by grant housing trusts for home improvements.
Comment on this
I have no proposals for the provision of grant aid to housing trusts for home improvements.
Comment on this
Would the Minister not agree that having regard to the rent controls in existence in vast housing trusts—I instance the Iveagh Trust —there is a need for some sort of block grant? If some such provision is not made there will be further serious deterioration in what are now good housing stocks in the centre city area. Consequently, I am asking the Minister to examine the situation again and to try to ensure the preservation of our housing stock. This is a very important matter.
Comment on this
I appreciate the difficulty regarding the Iveagh Trust and possibly, too, with regard to other trusts. I would be prepared to consider the situation though not in the context of house improvement grants.