asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the urgent need for hundreds of corporation houses in Waterford City and that there exists there a direct labour unit that is capable of providing for this need if sanction is given by him; and, if so, whether he is prepared to have the whole matter investigated with a view to giving general sanction for the carrying out of this necessary work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford City Housing.
I am aware that the corporation estimate that approximately 400 additional houses are still required to meet the remaining needs of working class families in the county borough. Any reasonable proposals which the corporation submit to my Department to meet these needs with due regard to speed and economy will be examined expeditiously.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a restraint was placed on the direct labour unit during the past number of years? Will the Parliamentary Secretary now say that if proposals in regard to that direct labour unit are sent up by the corporation they will receive prompt and favourable consideration?
I am not so aware, but I am aware that the Waterford Corporation have built, or have in course of construction, 665 houses to meet a post-war need estimated to be 1,054 houses. This means that only 37 per cent. of the post-war needs still remain to be satisfied. The position is more satisfactory than in any of the other three county boroughs. Two other schemes, comprising 67 houses, are at an advanced planning stage, and it should be possible to have work commenced before the schemes currently in progress are completed. Proposals to entrust work to the corporation's direct labour organisation will, as heretofore, be approved where it is established that this method would be financially more advantageous to the local authority than the contract method. The corporation have a direct labour unit which has done useful work. On the 31st May last the unit was building 30 houses at Lower Grange and contractors were building 39 houses in the same area.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary learned since assuming office that the previous Minister for Local Government apparently discouraged as far as possible building by local authorities through direct labour schemes and is it the intention of the present Minister to reverse the decision?
This has reference to corporation houses in Waterford City only.
Could the Deputy substantiate that statement?
The Deputy himself could substantiate it.
The Cork scheme was never interfered with.
Can I have an assurance from the Parliamentary Secretary that there will be no limitation as to the number of houses built by direct labour as was done by the last Minister in Waterford?
That is a separate question.
I can give this assurance, that the policy in regard to direct labour versus contract will be the policy that was laid down by the Labour Minister for Local Government in the first inter-Party Government and which was conveyed to all the local authorities in a clearly worded circular on the 18th October, 1948.