asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the reasons for the extraordinarily tardy progress in dealing with the housing problem in the Rathdown area; if he is aware that hundreds of families are living in insanitary and overcrowded surroundings; and if he will indicate the steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that citizens in that locality can be guaranteed living conditions which will conform to public health requirements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing.
I am not aware that there is any undue delay in the provision of houses or the formulation of schemes to satisfy the needs of the Rathdown area. The council have taken steps to provide approximately 600 houses, which represent the needs of the area. Of these, 30 have already been erected, 207 are in progress and sites have been acquired and plans are being prepared for 165 more. In addition, sites for a further 220 houses are being acquired.
As intimated in my reply to a previous question by the Deputy, I am satisfied that the county council are dealing energetically with the housing problem in Rathdown and the other areas within their jurisdiction and that the present rate of building progress will ensure that the existing housing needs of these areas will be met with commendable expedition.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether and, if so, why he has refused to sanction the Dún Laoghaire Borough Council's recommendation for the acquisition of housing site No. 20, Glenalua Road, Killiney; whether he is aware of the full extent of the housing needs of the people in the Dún Laoghaire Borough; and if he will state what steps he is taking to solve the problem of the alarming housing shortage in that area.
My approval to the acquisition of the site in question was conveyed to the Dún Laoghaire Corporation three weeks ago. I am fully aware of the housing needs in Dún Laoghaire Borough and I am further aware that the task of providing houses to meet these needs is being tackled by the local authority with energy and expedition and that the present rate of progress is satisfactory.
Mr. A. Byrne
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the present grant to the Corporation of Dublin towards the building of houses for the working classes of the city and that, as a result, rents have been increased beyond the means of new tenants with families, and if he will take steps to have increased grants made available to the corporation that will enable them to house the citizens at reasonable rents.
I do not regard as inadequate the over-all rate at which State grants and subsidies are payable towards new houses for the working classes in Dublin. These subventions are, in fact, generous and are now being applied through the operation of a differential renting system so as to enable families in need of housing accommodation to obtain it at rents within their means. The corporation is at present examining the question of making further allowance for dependent children in the calculation of rents under the differential system.