Local authority housing improvements
The Minister said loan finance and grants can support extra bedrooms and bathroom or shower facilities, but authorities must submit proposals. He urged Dublin Corporation to allocate funds to upgrade homes without bathing facilities, noting it had not drawn down all available loans.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a provision to enable local authorities to provide additional bedroom accommodation in local authority houses.
10.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make extra funds available to local authorities to enable them to provide bathroom-shower facilities for 1,181 local authority houses and 1,500 local authority flats at present without these basic amenities.
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 10 together. Loan finance is available from my Department to enable local authorities to carry out certain improvements including the provision of bathrooms or showers, or extra bedrooms, to their rented dwellings. It is a matter for individual authorities to submit specific proposals if they wish to avail of this assistance. Local authorities and their tenants may also qualify for house improvement grants for such work from my Department.
Comment on this
In view of the Government's policy and its success in regard to the reduction in the housing waiting list in the Dublin Corporation area, and the surplus of houses now available in Tallaght, would the Minister encourage Dublin Corporation to divert funds, or to use funds not now being used for house building in Tallaght, to provide bathroom facilities for the 1,181 local authority houses and the 1,500 local authority flats in Dublin city which do not have bathrooms?
Comment on this
I should like to see this problem addressed. As I said earlier today, loan finance has been available during the past number of years but Dublin Corporation have not drawn down the full amount available to them. I am particularly anxious that discussions in the local authority involving their allocation for 1987 would include specific allocations for living units which do not have bathing facilities. There has been a recent corporation communication which outlines the problems facing them in relation to their inner city staff. Unfortunately, there is no specific proposal in relation to the matter which the Deputy has raised in connection with any particular scheme.