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provision for the aged catered for in the design of general redevelopment. As with the physically
handicapped, it would be generally desirable that ground floor accommodation is provided. Units
for space heating should be proofed against fire risks.
(c) Problem Families who seem unable to adj ust themselves to the general standard of society.
Quite often their living conditions are most undesirable To rehouse them in new dwellings is
to invite trouble and some form of graduation is desirable This can be achieved by putting
families of this type into acquired houses, this coupled with the social welfare services provide
a means of rehabilitation or re-adj ustment,
Sub-Standard Houses
(a) There are large numbers of houses which, although structurally sound and capable of many
years life, are sub-standard by reason of lack of amenities. It is to deal with such houses that
provision is made whereby grants are available for improvement. The grants make it possible
to provide bath, wash basin, hot water supply, VI.C., and proper food stores.
Since 1949 these grants have been available at the discretion of the Council but in 1959 an
Act of Parliament made available standard grants. These grants cannot be refused and there are
certain financial limitations set for particular items.
The response has been disappointing, less than 150 discretionary grants have been applied
for and in the case of standard grants the applications total less than 50. In almost every case
the applications have come from owner occupiers and whilst this is commendable, the majority
of these sub-standard houses are tenanted. There must be some reason for the owners not taking
advantage of these facilities to modernise their properties. The short answer is economics,
owners argue that the financial return for the initial outlay involved is not worth it. It should
be emphasised in this respect that owners obtaining grants are subject to a rent control.
(b) It is appropriate at this time to try to assess what the 1957 Rent Act has done to improve
sub-standard property. In so far as providing amenities, no improvement is noticeable.
In the matter of decorative repairs, many houses have been painted externally and some
have been pointed. Certain works of internal repair too have been done voluntarily by the owners,
but much of this repair work has resulted from the tenants' action in serving Forms G.
The weakness of the Rent Act as we see it is that it does not allow for the remedying of
fundamental or inherent defects. One must always have regard to the age and character and
locaility of the house. Many houses are very damp due to lack of damp proof courses and there
is no acti on that can be taken to remedy this under the Rent Act.
Certificates of Disrepair
Although there was a fall in the number of applications for certificates under the Rent Act,
1957 there was no indication of a discontinuation in the use of these provisions and the following
is a summary of the Department's work in this connection -
Applications for Certificates of Disrepair
(1) Number of applications for certificates under Rent Act, 1957: 62
(2) Number of decisions not to issue certificates: 1
(3) Number of decisions to issue certificates: 61
(a) in respect of some but not all defects: 24
(b) in respect of all defects: 37