asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the housing conditions in the town of Ballyhaunis are appalling; that over 40 families are living in insanitary dwellings; that the Mayo County Council made provisions for the building of 35 labourers' cottages for Ballyhaunis over four years ago, and if he will now state the cause of the delay in proceeding with the erection of such cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Conditions in Ballyhaunis.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not aware that over 40 families are living in insanitary dwellings. According to information supplied by the local engineer and county medical officer of health in 1934, 20 cottages are required at Ballyhaunis to rehouse families living in unfit dwellings. In addition, seven cottages were estimated as being necessary to relieve overcrowding, making a total of 27 cottages required to complete the entire housing needs of the village which then existed. Provision was made by the Mayo Board of Health for the erection of 26 cottages at Ballyhaunis on two sites included in a Compulsory Purchase Order, which was confirmed by me on 7th September, 1935. One of the sites proposed to be acquired at Ballyhaunis, on which it was intended to erect 18 cottages, was the subject of an appeal to the High Court by the owner. The court reserved a decision pending the possibility of an agreement being reached between the board of health and the owner on the question of obtaining suitable alternative sites in the vicinity, and this matter has not yet been finally determined. A tender for the erection of eight cottages on the second site included in the Order referred to, was sanctioned by me on 7th September last and I understand that work on these cottages will commence in the near future.