asked the Minister for Local Government with reference to the flat dwellings scheme at Rialto, Dublin, which was opened by the Minister on March 4th, 1949, if he will state (a) when the corporation acquired the land; (b) when they decided to go on with the scheme; (c) when the flats were approved by the Department of Local Government; (d) when tenders were invited; (e) when contracts were placed; (f) when work began, and (g) number of men employed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Dublin Flats Scheme.
Mr. Murphy
The following is the information which the Deputy has requested:—
(a) The Dublin Corporation obtained possession of portion of the site for this scheme in October, 1937, and the balance in June, 1938.
(b) In October, 1937, the filling of the site was commenced and the construction of roads, laying of sewers and construction of foundations were put in hands in 1940. The corporation decided in 1946 to proceed with the building work.
(c) Plans for the scheme were approved by the Department in January, 1938.
(d) Tenders for the construction of foundations and for site work were invited in October, 1940, and approval to the acceptance of a tender was given by the Department in November, 1940. Tenders for the erection of the flats were invited in May, 1946, and the acceptance of a tender was approved in October, 1946.
(e) The contract dates were:— foundations contract, 8th February, 1941; building contract, 8th May, 1947.
(f) Work on the foundations contract began in February, 1941, and ended in July, 1942. Work on the building contract commenced in May, 1947.
(g) The number of men employed on the foundation contract averaged 11 skilled and 34 unskilled. The number of men employed on the building contract has more than doubled since this time last year and was 262 skilled and 230 unskilled for the week ending 3rd March, 1949.
The Minister claims credit for that scheme?
Mr. Murphy
The Minister claims credit for injecting some life into housing—a very considerable amount of it. I do not think the reply gives much comfort to the ex-Minister——
Does it not?
Mr. Murphy
——considering that it took about ten years to get them going.