Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Section 11 of the Bill replaces and updates section 56(2) of the Housing Act 1966 which, as Senator Coffey has said, empowers local authorities to provide services which are ancillary to the provision of dwellings, such as roads, shops and playgrounds. The services in question are capital in nature. This section of the Bill envisages the provision of supporting infrastructure and amenities rather than services of the type proposed in amendment No. 6. The same issues apply in section 12 of the Bill which empowers the Minster to pay grants or subsidies to housing authorities in respect of specified services, including the provision of ancillary services. Section 10(b) of the Bill sets out the general functions of the housing authority in the provision of housing support and the management and maintenance of dwellings and estates. This would comprehend tenancy services.

Amendment No. 12 also attempts to tackle the issue of the provision of services to tenants. The effect of this amendment may be to confuse the understanding of "housing support", and place some limitations on such support, rather than to bring greater clarity to the matter. The tenancy issues mentioned in the amendment are covered in the definition of "housing support" in section 10 to the extent that they are within the remit of the housing authorities.

I accept what Senator Coffey and others have said about services. Senator Norris made a valid point about bedsits. It was important for us to take action in that regard. While I appreciate that many of the new properties that have come on stream in recent times have better facilities, we continue to have a hangover from other times. Bedsits like those developed in the 1960s, which do not have separate sanitary and kitchen facilities, will no longer be acceptable from 1 February next. The Bill also deals with the appearance of properties. In many streets, it is easy to identify the houses that are rented out as opposed to those occupied by private owners. We are giving responsibility to landlords in that regard. The local authorities are to be given funds to conduct inspections. I hope that will improve conditions. Bedsits will be gone.

I am conscious that a number of Senators have considered it appropriate to suggest amendments to clarify this point. I am prepared to ask the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to examine this matter and ascertain whether a more explicit reference can be included in this legislation. In that light, I ask Senators Coffey and Hannigan to withdraw the amendments before the House. I will come back to the matter if I can get the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to agree to include a more explicit reference.