asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the building of houses urgently needed in Gort, County Galway, is being delayed owing to the difficulty in securing sites; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have the site of the former workhouse made available for this purpose to the local authority, or if he will state whether it will be sold to private individuals, and further, if the transfer of portion of the site to private individuals has already been arranged, if he will state the price paid in respect of such transfer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Housing.
The question of the selection of suitable sites is a matter in the first instance for the local authority. The Galway County Council have approved of the acquisition of a site of two and a half acres at Cloon, Gort. The council originally intended to provide three cottages on this site, but now propose to build ten cottages with water and sewerage services.
An inquiry into a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition of sites for 14 houses at Crowe Street, Gort, has been held and I hope to issue a decision on the order at an early date. No proposals for the acquisition of the workhouse lands at Gort for housing purposes have been submitted to me by the county council. Any question regarding the disposal of workhouse lands should be addressed to the Minister for Health.