asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that there are 172 dwellinghouses in Mullingar which are not connected to the sewerage system and that the 40 houses in Springfield Street are without water or sewerage; that the Westmeath County Council, the sanitary authority in this case, undertook to provide these premises with water and sewerage, subject to the sanction of his Department; whether these proposals were, in fact, submitted to his Department; and if so, whether he will state the date on which they were submitted, and the action taken subsequently with regard to them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sanitary Conditions in Mullingar.
Mr. Corish
In June, 1945, the Westmeath County Council submitted, as a post-emergency scheme, draft plans for connecting 198 labourers' cottages in the town of Mullingar to existing sewers and watermains. These plans included the 40 houses at Springfield Street referred to in the question. The plans were the subject of discussion in October, 1945, with the council's engineers, and certain improvements were suggested. In December, 1945, the council submitted draft lay-out plans for the provision of 84 houses at Springfield Street. These plans provide for a new 6-inch watermain and a new 9-inch sewer. On the 2nd September, 1946, I informed the county council that a report from their town planning consultant should be obtained on the development of the area in order to ensure that any housing proposals would be in conformity with planning developments. It will probably be found possible to provide for sanitary services to the existing cottages at Springfield Street when the new area is being developed. I am writing to the local authority with regard to the extension of sewerage and water facilities to the remaining labourers' cottages in Mullingar and for the views of their town planning consultant as to the future development of the Springfield Street area. No proposals for the financing of the scheme have been passed by the council.