asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a tenant of a cottage at Birr Road, Cloghan, Offaly, the property of the Offaly County Council, applied in 1944 for urgent and essential repairs to be carried out to his cottage, that these repairs were not done and that the cottage is now almost in ruins, and if he will have the cottage inspected by his Department and ascertain the cause of delay; and, further, if he will state whether steps will be taken to put the dwelling in repair before the end of this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Cottage.
I have been informed by Offaly County Council that an intimation was received in May, 1947, that repairs were required to the cottage in question. A specification of repair works was immediately prepared and tenders were invited on several occasions by advertisements. No contractor was secured for the work until May, 1949. The contractor was prevented by the tenant's wife from carrying out the work on the grounds that repairs additional to those in the specification were required. The position was reported to the council by the contractor in September last and the tenant was informed that the contractor should be allowed to proceed, on the understanding that any additional repairs found to be necessary would be carried out. Part of the work has already been completed and the remaining items are being dealt with expeditiously.
My information is that the cottage was not at any time "almost in ruins".
Is the Minister aware that the county medical officer of health was even requested to have this cottage condemned and that a local county councillor made representations to the local authority with the view to having it condemned as unfit to live in? Will he now undertake to make further inquiries from the local authority with a view to having the repairs, which he indicated are at present in course of progress, completed before Christmas, so that other relatives of this family may be able to come home and live in their own house for Christmas?
My information is not in accordance with the Deputy's remark. My information is that the two main items of repair were the relaying of a floor and cement dashing and internal plastering. The repairs are normal items of maintenance.
Is the Minister aware that there are no outoffices as they were blown down by a storm years ago and no effort has been made to replace them? The tenant was not responsible for the storm.
I have given the Deputy the result of my investigations into the question.