asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has examined the scheme prepared by the Wicklow Board of Health for the sale of labourers' cottages to the tenants; whether the scheme meets with his approval, and whether, in view of the demand in many counties for the provision of facilities for such sales, he proposes to introduce proposals for legislation to deal with the question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Labourers' Cottages.
The scheme referred to has been examined. Generally it does not commend itself. There is no statutory authority to enable me to approve of any such scheme. As already stated in reply to a previous question:—In November, 1928, local authorities administering the Labourers (Ireland) Acts were communicated with for the purpose of ascertaining their views and those of the tenants as to the propriety of selling the cottages to the latter.
Up to date, of the 31 bodies concerned only 6 have submitted schemes, 10 have expressed themselves as being in favour of the principle of the sale of cottages, 8 have expressed themselves as opposed to the principle, and the remaining 7 have taken no action.
It does not appear to me to be either necessary or desirable to introduce legislation at present.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether in view of the general demand for legislation to enable boards of health throughout the country to sell labourers' cottages under their control to the tenants he intends to introduce proposals for legislation dealing with the matter.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Moore on this subject.