asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the architect in charge of bomb damage repairs at the North Strand has written to property owners in the bombed area stating that the corporation, by a recent direction of the Government, cannot now undertake any work in the nature of bomb damage repairs; if, in view of the fact that over 200 houses have been repaired, he will state the reason for not continuing the repairs, especially of property owned by persons not in a financial position to provide the funds to do the repairs required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bomb Damage Repair.
Mr. Byrne
As regards the first part of the question, a notification to the effect indicated by the Deputy was issued to owners of property. As regards the latter part of the question, authority was given to the corporation at the time the bomb damage occurred to carry out repairs to houses which were capable of being repaired with a view to enabling the owners to continue to occupy them on the understanding that the corporation would be reimbursed when legislation was passed. There is no obligation upon the local authority to carry out permanent repairs to all damaged property in the area and as the Minister for Finance in pursuance of the Neutrality (War Damage to Property) Act, 1941, has set up machinery for the determination of claims to compensation, public notice of which was given in October last, it is considered that property owners should exercise their rights as regards claiming compensation under that Act and arrange for the repair of their own property in so far as repairs have not already been carried out.
Mr. Byrne
Does that not justify every word of my question? You have stopped repairs. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a number of small cottages owned by very poor people and the roofs of these cottages were damaged and they have not been repaired since the bombing? Apparently there were no slaters available, but last Friday evening 40 slaters were dismissed and several cottages are now left unrepaired and the people have no money to get the work done for themselves. Why was there a distinction between those who got their property repaired within the last nine or ten months and the dozen or two cottages where no roof repairs have yet been carried out? Why should those places be left in such a condition?
The claims that were dealt with by the corporation were dealt with pending the passage of legislation. Under the procedure that is now recognised, applications have to be made to the Minister for Finance in accordance with regulations made by the Minister. These regulations were published in the Press on 14th October, 1941. The only thing I can do to help the Deputy is to make representations to the Minister for Finance to give prior consideration in cases where the people are in serious financial difficulties.
Mr. Byrne
Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate why the repairs were stopped? These people waited to the last to get their roof-tops repaired and chimney-stacks attended to. They did not rush in at the beginning; they did not wait in a queue, although their houses needed repair after the bombing. Now, because they did not rush in, they are left with their damaged houses. Some of the houses were damaged considerably. I asked the corporation this morning to close four of them because of the Minister's order. The corporation have very few houses left to give to tenants who are urgently in need of accommodation. I suggest the Parliamentary Secretary should allow the contractors to continue the repairs and allow the slaters to get back to their work.
All claims must now be decided by the Minister for Finance.
Mr. Byrne
What about the claims that have been dealt with already?
The Act was passed only recently.
Mr. Byrne
Then there are people victimised because of the delay in passing legislation in this House?