asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that council flat tenants (details supplied) in North Cork pay the same scale of rent as tenants of council houses; and if that is in accordance with the policy of his Department.

The principles underlying the differential rents scheme for local authority dwellings is that tenants should pay a reasonable contribution, in accordance with their ability to pay, towards the cost of their housing. Accordingly rents are not related solely to the type and standard of the dwelling a tenant occupies but also have regard to the family income and circumstances. The scheme does not, therefore, preclude a tenant of a flat being obliged to pay a rent similar to the rent payable by a tenant occupying a house.