asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider extending the recently announced private house purchase scheme to allow local authorities to buy from house owners who are unable to meet mortgage repayments and then allow them to continue as occupants under the differential rent scheme.

The scheme under which local authorities may purchase private houses to supplement their rented stock is intended to enable authorities to provide houses where it has been established that housing needs exist and where it would not be possible for the authorities to provide suitable accommodation more economically or within a reasonable period of time.

I feel it would not be appropriate to extend this scheme in the manner suggested by the Deputy, particularly since it is understood that lending agencies adopt a sympathetic approach to mortgage holders who are in genuine difficulties and seek to come to a mutually acceptable arrangement to overcome these difficulties.

Would it not have been an ideal opportunity, given the serious difficulties which many people are encountering at present with mortgage repayments to various local authorities, for the Minister to take those people out of their difficulties by allowing them to remain in their houses as tenants under the differential rent scheme?

I do not think that would be a good idea as it might lead to many problems and anomalies in that people could perhaps jump a queue to get into a house. Many people, especially the lower income group, are availing of the Housing Finance Agency loan which takes unemployment into account and reduces the rent accordingly. It would not be in the best interests of a good local authority housing programme to do as Deputy Kirk suggests although I accept that the suggestion was made in good faith.

Has the Minister any information regarding the number of people who are in difficulties with their repayments to local authorities throughout the country? I am sure an increasing number of people are affected——

The Deputy must ask a question, he should not make a statement.

Powers have been given to local authorities to purchase private houses and there is no other way to come to terms with this problem, which will increase and multiply as time goes on.

We allow local authorities to purchase one off or groups of houses when they require houses urgently or where they want to get a greater social mix. They are not confined to new houses, they can buy secondhand ones, and they attempt to purchase vacant houses to accommodate as many people as possible. The Deputy seems to be advocating that local authorities should buy houses which are already occupied and that would not solve their housing problems.

Would the Minister consider extending the scheme into areas where semi-State organisations have provided houses? For instance, Shannon Free Airport Development Company have provided a substantial number of houses at Shannon Airport new town for their employees on the industrial estate. Bord na Móna have also provided accommodation for their employees and, therefore, would the Minister think it important to extend the scheme as I have suggested?

If houses become vacant, the local authorities have power to purchase them. We are not dictating the types of houses which they should buy; we are saying they may purchase houses if they require them for particular reasons.

Does the Minister accept that in isolated cases — I am speaking about County Westmeath — where the local authority have taken into account the financial circumstances of a couple or family and allow them to stay on in the house and pay rent, a council should continue that humane practice, especially in these difficult times?

That seems to be another question.

I will not advocate that local authorities should engage in this activity but where local authorities see extreme conditions they can use their discretion.

Would the Minister allow them to make up their own minds?

The Deputy has informed me that they have already done so in County Westmeath.

Will the Minister allow that practice to continue?

They have already done so.

I wish to ask a final supplementary question.

I am calling Deputy Leonard.

Just one question.

The Chair will not be ignored, I am calling Deputy Leonard now.

I am being treated very unfairly in relation to this matter.

I am calling Deputy Leonard.

There are Office of Public Works houses in Monaghan which were built for gardai but which are not now in use and we are awaiting approval from the Minister's Department for Monaghan County Council to purchase and let them. What is the position in this regard?

As I indicated to Deputy Daly, local authorities are entitled to do this. I am sure the Department will wish to ensure that the houses are suitable and, if that is the case, there will be no problem. This is part of our policy at present but, unfortunately, local authorities are not availing of this.

Has the Minister received applications in his Department from various county managers for permission to extend this scheme to the category of people I have in mind?

I do not have that information.

Will the Minister supply that information when it becomes available?

I will.