asked the Minister for Local Government if he can state the reasons why houses in the Clontarf district have only dry sanitation; if he is aware that as a result living conditions in this district are unhygienic and conducive to epidemics, and if he will indicate what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clontarf District Sanitation.
Mr. Murphy
The supervision of the sanitary arrangements is primarily a matter for the local authority. I have no information that the conditions described exist to any considerable extent in the Clontarf area. If, however, the Deputy will furnish me with more detailed information, I will have the matter investigated.
I would like to point out that as regards the Clontarf area, which is predominantly a residential area, in Byrne's Lane district, where there are 11 cottages, there is only one flush lavatory and in each of these cottages there are families of eight or nine. In the Byrne's Hill area there are ten cottages and they have dry lavatory accommodation. Even this morning, after the recent rains, solid matter was floating around the backyards of these cottages. These people are not eligible for houses under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts; they are living in non-tenement areas, but the houses have been condemned by the local authority.
Mr. Murphy
I shall be glad if the Deputy will send all that information to me and I promise to have the matter investigated without delay.