asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state: (a) the number of families in the Dún Laoghaire Borough living in one room; (b) the number of families in the Rathdown area (excluding the Dún Laoghaire Borough) living in one room; (c) what steps, if any, have been taken to supply adequate accommodation for the inhabitants of these rooms; (d) if the rent charged for these rooms is equitable; (e) if the sanitary arrangements for these rooms have been approved by the public health authorities in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; (f) what procedure, if any, is adopted by the local authorities in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area to provide suitable living accommodation for those who live in overcrowded dwellings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Families Living in One Room.
Mr. Murphy
The reply is as follows: (a) 405; (b) 172; (c) In Dún Laoghaire a scheme of 83 houses at Dalkey is nearing completion; land has been or is being acquired for a further 130 houses, for which plans have been prepared and approved, and a further scheme for approximately 400 houses is being formulated. In the Rathdown area Dublin County Council propose to provide about 400 houses as part of their general housing programme for the county; they expect to begin 128 of these houses in the present year.
Under existing regulations first preference in the letting of dwellings is accorded, wherever practicable, to certain single-room families; (d) I have no information regarding the rents charged in Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown for single-room dwellings; (e) the sanitary authorities are far from satisfied with the sanitary arrangements for these dwellings but they are handicapped in dealing with the matter by the absence of alternative accommodation to relieve overcrowding and to replace unfit dwellings; (f) the procedure adopted is that laid down in the Housing of the Working Classes Acts and Labourers Acts.
May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that general disquiet and dissatisfaction exist regarding the allocation of houses in the Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown areas and will the Minister have steps taken in this matter?
Mr. Murphy
I certainly will and if the Deputy has any further examples they will be attended to.
Will the Minister direct that immediate provision be made for the erection of houses?
Mr. Murphy
I will deal with the matter immediately.
Is the Minister aware that the figure which he gave of 405 families living in one room in Dún Laoghaire is not a figure that can be relied upon, the figure quoted being the number of applicants from one-roomed houses? In October last there were 238 and now the number has increased since the election campaign. The number 405 does not signify the number of families living in one room. Is he further aware that in 1938 the housing problem in the Borough of Dún Laoghaire was solved so that there were 15/- houses to spare with no applicants for them?