asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate the number of houses required by the Cork Corporation to provide for existing applicants and when it is estimated that these people will be properly housed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Housing.
The number of houses required for existing applicants in Cork County Borough depends on the number of applicants who establish their eligibility under the Housing Acts. I understand that applications for re-housing by the corporation total approximately 5,000, but all these have not yet been examined as to their eligibility. The corporation, however, are proceeding on the basis of an estimate of needs made in 1944, and according to the survey then carried out, it was estimated that 3,671 houses would be required. If, however, further examination of the requirements locally shows that more houses are needed, I am sure that the corporation will expand their programme accordingly.
As regards the time required to provide the 3,671 houses, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of the 15th December last on this matter.
Is the Minister not aware that the estimate of 3,671 houses was issued in 1946 by his Department and, in those circumstances, will he not get a more up-to-date survey of the housing needs of the City of Cork carried out?
That would be more a matter for the corporation.
I was told in reply to a question a few months ago that, according to the survey carried out, it was estimated 3,671 houses would be required. I later discovered a circular which indicated that that survey was made in June, 1946. Would the Minister not consider it desirable to have a more up-to-date survey made?
It is the corporation that would take steps to have that survey made and bring it more up-to-date.