asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that no houses have been built in the Ballybrack, Killiney and Loughlinstown districts for the past 15 years and that sanitary accommodation in the area is a menace to health; and, if so, whether he will state if plans exist for the provision of houses with proper sanitary accommodation, and when these plans will be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Housing Plans.
I am aware that the provision of housing schemes with full sanitary services in these areas has been retarded up to the present owing to the absence of a proper drainage system. The provision of a comprehensive drainage scheme has, however, been under active consideration by the Dún Laoghaire Corporation in conjunction with the Dublin County Council. The formulation of final plans was delayed by the fact that a lengthy inquiry into the proposal had to be held and subsequent detailed investigations into certain aspects of the proposed marine outfall were found necessary. In anticipation of the carrying out of the drainage scheme, the Dún Laoghaire Corporation are proposing to acquire a housing site at Ballybrack, which is intended to serve the needs of that portion of the whole area referred to by the Deputy which is situate in Dún Laoghaire Borough. The Dublin County Council have included a site at Kilgobbet, Ballybrack, in a compulsory purchase Order which has been the subject of a public inquiry. The preparation of detailed plans by the local authorities for housing schemes in the areas must, of course, await acquisition of sites. In these circumstances I am not in a position to say when the plans will be put into operation.
Is the Minister aware that for years the sanitary accommodation in these populous districts in County Dublin has been very bad, in fact, that they were without any sanitary accommodation whatever? Will he try to insist that the efforts of those who are planning for the erection of housing accommodation will be speeded up?
I certainly will.