asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state if any proposals are under consideration by him for the erection of cottages under the Labourers Acts, in that portion of South Kerry extending from Killorglin to Sneem, particularly in the Cahirciveen area; and, if not, whether he is aware of the bad housing conditions of labourers in the town of Cahirciveen, where only four cottages have been built by the Kerry County Council during the past 23 years; and, if so, if he will urge the council to take the steps necessary to expedite the building of such cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Labourers' Cottages in Kerry.
No proposals for the erection of labourers' cottages in the area between Killorglin and Sneem are at present before my Department. Sanction to the issue of loans for the building of labourers' cottages in County Kerry has practically been suspended since 1936 owing to the failure of the local authority to take adequate measures for the collection of outstanding arrears of rents of cottages. In the year 1932, the arrears amounted to £10,000, and there was a progressive increase up to 1941, when the arrears amounted to approximately £18,000. Although arrears amounting to £4,638 have since been struck off as irrecoverable, the arrears still due and collectable on the 30th. September amounted to £10,822. The position in Kerry in regard to rent collection compares most unfavourably with the adjoining counties. I would only be too happy to promote measures for the improvement of housing in Kerry, but the Deputy will realise that, while the local authority fail to collect from the tenants reasonable rents for their cottages, proposals for the building of further cottages could not be entertained.