asked the Minister for Local Government if he has seen the statement of the Galway County Manager that housing in Connemara should be a national matter rather than one for the local authority; and if he will state in what way and to what extent the Galway County Council has helped housing in Connemara more than in any other part of County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing in Connemara.
My attention has been drawn to the statement of the Galway County Manager. In County Galway 1,332 cottages have been provided under the Labourers Acts, a sum of £213,227 has been paid by way of State grants to private persons and public utility societies to assist in the erection of 3,039 new houses, and grants amounting to £94,535 to enable small farmers and labourers to reconstruct 2,499 dwellings have also been made. Advances were made under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts in respect of 154 houses. Connemara is not an administrative area in respect of which separate records are kept but to enable the question to be answered it is assumed that it lies within the rural districts of Clifden and Oughterard. Prior to 1932, 751 labourers' cottages were erected by the Galway County Council. Thirteen of these cottages are situated in the Clifden Rural District and 19 in the Oughterard Rural District. Since 1932, 581 cottages, of which 34 are situated in the Clifden and 38 in the Oughterard Rural Districts, were erected by the council.
Statistics relating to the assistance given by the State by way of contributions to the annual loan charges are not available in sufficient detail to enable the annual sum payable in respect of the 72 cottages referred to to be accurately assessed. The proportions in which the charges on all the 581 cottages are shared, calculated on a percentage basis are 49 per cent. borne by the State; 30 per cent. borne by the tenants, and 21 per cent. borne by the county council. According to the latest survey the housing needs of agricultural labourers in the former Clifden Rural District are four houses, and in the former Oughterard Rural District 11 houses. The special provisions made under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts facilitate the erection and improvement of dwelling houses in the Gaeltacht, part of which is in Connemara, administered by the Minister for Lands.
That is a splendid general election speech without any trimmings at all.
Comment on answers to questions is not permissible.
Even when in that form?
Even when in that form.