To ask the Minister for Local Government whether there are any Brick and Tile Manufacturers in Ireland, and, if so, whether the industry is worthy of encouragement, with consequent increase of employment, and if he is aware that the value of bricks, tiles and slates imported yearly into this country amounts roughly to £150,000; that this amount is liable to a large increase in the near future, as a result of the Housing Schemes now contemplated, and whether he will recommend the Government to issue an order to Government Departments insisting that all houses or buildings erected under their authority or control should be roofed with Irish manufactured tiles, and not with British or foreign slates.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - BRICK AND TILE MANUFACTURES.
SEOSAMH MAC GIOLLA BHRIGHDE
Mr. ERNEST BLYTHE
Brick works are in operation at Dolphin's Barn, Dublin, Courtown, Tullamore, Waterford and Youghal, but except at Courtown, the manufacture of roofing tiles is not undertaken. The value of the annual import would be at least the figure mentioned and there may be an increase as Housing Schemes further develop. Having regard to the difficulty in providing houses to be let at economic rents, it is not advisable or possible at present to restrict the markets in which building materials may be purchased. In the circulars of the Ministry it is recommended that preference should be given to home materials when comparative prices permit this to be done, and that view is impressed on Local Authorities and their Architects at every opportunity.
Mr. MacBRIDE
Is not the only extra cost in the roofing of houses with tiles really the provision of half a dozen rafters and half a dozen laths extra?
There was no reply.