asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the Killarney Urban Council submitted certain proposals in connection with the erection of 40 houses and whether he is prepared to sanction these proposals at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing.
Plans for a further scheme of 40 houses at Kilcoolaght, Killarney, have been approved. The urban district council have suggested certain modifications of the house designs with a view to reducing construction costs. My views on these suggestions were conveyed to the council on 24th September last.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that suitable sites for the erection of 34 cottages have been acquired voluntarily in Killorglin, and if he will state the cause of the delay in putting the building scheme into operation.
I am aware that the site referred to has been acquired by the Kerry County Council. A proposal from the council to accept a tender for the execution of the scheme, in substitution of an earlier proposal which had to be withdrawn, was received in the Department on the 7th instant and has been approved. Work on the scheme should, therefore, commence very shortly.
Is the Minister aware that the Kerry County Council put that scheme forward in record time? The motive behind the reply is to suggest that the county council did not do so.
We cannot consider the motives.
It is one of the best councils in the country.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (1) the total number of labourers' cottages built in County Meath under all the Acts concerned, and (2) how many further cottages are needed to meet the needs of labourers.
(1) The total number of labourers' cottages erected up to the 31st October last in County Meath under the Labourers Acts, 1883-1950, is 4,270.
(2) It is understood from the county council that, according to a survey carried out early this year, a further 722 cottages are required in the county.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the cause of delay in the erection of labourers' cottages in Dungloe, County Donegal.
There has been no undue delay in the formulation of a housing scheme for this area. The county council have a very extensive housing programme to carry out and, having regard to the various difficulties experienced, progress to date in the county has been as expeditious as the circumstances permitted. In the Dungloe area, difficulty in obtaining suitable sites was experienced. However, the county council secured a site early this year and plans for a scheme of eight houses have now been approved.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will hold an inquiry into the delay in selecting a suitable site for a further urgently-needed housing scheme in Tullamore, County Offaly.
A site for a further scheme of 74 houses has been acquired by the Tullamore Urban District Council and plans for the proposed scheme were sanctioned on the 8th September last. In these circumstances, the question of an inquiry does not appear to arise.
Will the Minister give an undertaking to the House, so far as his Department is concerned, that he will see that the local authority loses no time in proceeding with the housing of the people in Tullamore?
Certainly. Sanction was sent down on some date of last month.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has yet received final figures from the Cork Corporation regarding the 90 houses built at Cathedral Road, Cork, 22 of which were completed on 13th April, 1946, and 68 on 18th May, 1946; and, if so, if he will indicate the amount paid or proposed to be paid for the scheme and the amount per house granted from the Transition Development Fund.
Final figures of the allin-cost of the 90 houses provided by Cork Corporation at Cathedral Road have recently been furnished to my Department and are at present under examination. Pending the completion of that examination, I am unable to say what amount will be granted from the Transition Development Fund towards the cost of the houses in question.
A sum of £25,000 has already been paid to Cork Corporation from the Transition Development Fund and arrangements have been made for payment of a further £30,000. These payments are on foot of post-war housing operations, including the Cathedral Road scheme, and cannot be related to any specific houses until the details of the schemes for which grants have been claimed have been examined.