asked the Minister for Health if he will make available to the local authority for house building the site of the former workhouse at Gort, County Galway, or whether it is proposed to sell the site 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. - Government Workhouse Site.
I will be prepared to consider any proposals which may be submitted to me by the Galway County Council for the leasing of any lands which may be available at Gort workhouse for house building. I have not received any such proposals.
The State Lands (Workhouses) Act, 1930, fixes the maximum period for which such lands may be alienated at 99 years and there cannot, therefore, be any question of the sale of the site.
Portions of this property have been or are being leased to private individuals as follows:—
(a) The old fever hospital leased as a residence for a period of 50 years from 18th August, 1927, at a rent of £25 per annum.
(b) Lease being prepared for the grant of 1 rood 1 perch as a site for the erection of a dwelling-house for a term of 99 years and at a rent of £1 a year.
(c) Lease being prepared for the grant for a further term of 99 years of a building and plot of approximately 2 roods 8 perches at a rent of £12 per annum to a tenant whose lease for 20 years from 1st May, 1930, has been surrendered.
Section 4 of the State Lands (Workhouses) Act, 1930, requires that full particulars of certain leases proposed to be made under the Act must be laid on the Table of the House for a period before they are made. The section applies to the two proposed leases referred to in the reply.