asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that many thousands of Dublin citizens are now sheltering in rat infested basements of slum property, and whether he is now in a position to state the Government's Housing Policy for the year 1923-24?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - HOUSING IN SAORSTAT EIREANN.
also asked the Minister for Local Government if he is yet in a position to state what subsidy, if any, the Government are prepared to advance to Urban authorities to enable them to provide houses for the working classes?
I am answering together the questions, on this subject, put down by Deputy Byrne and Deputy Corish. I am fully cognisant of the urgent need of additional housing accommodation in Dublin. In the current year, a sum of £700,000 is being provided for municipal housing in Saorstát Eireann, being the unissued balances of allocated grants referable to last year's subsidy of £1,000,000. Of this £700,000 a sum of £346,218 will be payable in respect of current Dublin Housing Schemes. When the estimates for the current year were being considered it was not found possible to provide further State aid for municipal schemes owing to the prevailing unsettled conditions, and the heavy financial deficit. There is the added difficulty that building costs in this country have remained at inflated figures.
In view of the urgency of this matter, would the Minister be able to tell us if the provisions of the 1919 Housing Act still apply in this country, and if anything can be done under that head because of the 1919 Housing Act?
Is the Deputy referring to the Additional Powers Act?
No, I mean the British Housing Act. I want to know if the provisions of that Act are applicable to this country, at present?
I will have to ask notice of that question. I do not know what the Deputy is referring to.
In view of the statement made in reference to the cost of building, would the Minister think it well to get in touch with the interests concerned, builders and others, so that something may be done in view of the serious nature of this question?
I am taking certain steps which, I think, will lead to some reduction in the cost of schemes, even in the case of some which have advanced to a certain stage.