asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if his Department has any information concerning the housing needs in the County of Offaly; whether he can state the number of houses which have been condemned by local Medical Officers of Health; whether he has received an application from the Board of Health for the provision of long term loans, and whether he is prepared to grant the required facilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Housing Needs.
The Offaly Board of Health and Public Assistance estimated recently that the provision of an additional 350 labourers' cottages was required. I have no information with regard to the second part of the question. The reply to the third part is in the affirmative. As regards the fourth part, there is no existing statutory authority which would enable advances from the Local Loans Fund to be made for the erection of cottages under the Labourers' Acts. I am, however, prepared to consider an application from the Board for sanction to a loan to be obtained from their treasurer for the purpose.