asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state (1) the total number of houses condemned by the medical officer of health in the Portlaoighise town commission area; (2) the number of houses erected by that body since the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932, came into operation, and the date or dates of their completion; (3) whether some of the houses were let without the previous sanction of the Minister and before the final certificate was given by the engineer and whether the majority of the commissioners challenge the right of the Minister to interfere in such matters; (4) whether a number of the houses already erected are now in a defective condition and whether he has received or called for any report from his engineering inspectors concerning same; (5) whether he will state the reason for withholding sanction for a scheme for the erection of 86 houses and whether he will indicate what steps he proposes taking to compel the body concerned to comply with the conditions of the Housing Act and to take full advantage of its financial provisions for the re-housing of slum dwellers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoighise Housing
(1) according to a survey of the town made in October, 1934, 88 houses were condemned as unfit for human habitation.
(2) Since 1932, the town commissioners have provided two schemes of 13 and 18 houses respectively. The 13-house scheme was completed in December, 1934. The 18-house scheme was finished in March last.
(3) In the case of the 13-house scheme the town commissioners proceeded to let the houses without reference to the Department. In the case of the 18-house scheme tenants have been selected and approved for 14 houses. In the remaining four cases the commissioners have, up to the present, refused to carry out the Department's instructions. In both schemes the houses were let before the issue of the final certificate by the engineer. This certificate, however, is not normally issued until the expiration of approximately six months from the date of completion of the scheme.
(4) Both schemes have recently been inspected by a member of my engineering staff, and a number of minor defects have been reported. Copies of the inspector's reports will be forwarded to the town commissioners in due course.
(5) Arrangements are being made at present to hold a public local inquiry into the application of the town commissioners for a loan to finance the proposed scheme of 86 houses. I may add that the attitude of the town commissioners in regard to the general administration of the Housing Acts is at present receiving my serious consideration.
If the Minister has not already done so, will he fix an early date for the inquiry mentioned?
I think a date is about to be fixed.