asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that many of the labourers' cottages in County Wexford are in a dilapidated condition for a number of years, and that, notwithstanding repeated representations to the board of health, no action has been taken by that body to effect repairs, though the rent and rates on the cottages are paid to date; and if he will take such steps as may be necessary to secure that the necessary repairs will be carried out without further delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repairs to Labourers' Cottages.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As a matter of fact the available statistics show that there has been an increasing number of cottages repaired by the board of health in each of the three years ended respectively 31st March, 1935, 1936 and 1937.
I am afraid the Parliamentary Secretary is misinformed. Is he aware that there are a number of cottages in my district in a very bad state of repair for the last three or four years? We have heard a good deal of talk about city slums, but the Minister may take it that in some of these cottages a dog could not live.
Is the Parliamentary Sectary aware that Deputy Keating knows nothing whatever about these cottages?
That question is not relevant.
I know more about them than Deputy Allen, and I know that they are in a bad way in my district.
Deputy Keating and Deputy Allen will have to settle that between them in Wexford.