To ask the Minister for Local Government if he has given consideration to the deplorable conditions existing in many provincial towns as a result of the acute shortage of working-class houses, and, if so, when he proposes to introduce legislation, even of a temporary nature, for the alleviation of a state of affairs which is becoming a menace to the general community.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - SHORTAGE OF WORKING-CLASS HOUSES.
DOMHNALL O CEALLACHAIN
MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT (Mr. Ernest Blythe)
The condition of housing in towns was one of the first matters dealt with by the Provisional Government, who made available a State grant of £1,000,000 for the current financial year; the details of the scheme were announced on the 16th March last. The Government's proposals have been adopted by the great majority of the municipal authorities (77 out of 94), but the carrying out of the programme has been somewhat hindered by the disturbed state of the country, by the difficulty of obtaining suitable sites on reasonable terms, and the hesitancy of contractors to tender on moderate lines. Every effort, however, has been made to help schemes forward by sending Inspectors to the towns to confer with local authorities, to urge progress, and to advise regarding sites, and the selection of suitable house designs.
The local authorities are fully occupied with their present schemes, and there is no need for any emergency legislation at the moment.