asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the delay in the erection of labourers' cottages in rural districts in South Kerry; and, if so, whether he will instruct his Department to accept the proposals of the Kerry County Council in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Labourers' Cottages.
The provision of labourers' cottages in rural areas of County Kerry has been delayed by the failure of the county council to obtain reasonable tenders in many cases for the building of the cottages. A proposal, received from the council on June 26th to accept tenders for 25 rural cottages, 15 of which were in the South Kerry area, was sanctioned on July 3rd. Any proposals of the council for further rural cottages at reasonable cost will be approved by my Department without delay.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the delay of the Kerry County Council to which he refers was due to the fact that his Department fixed a ceiling and that the Kerry County Council found it impossible to obtain tenders under that figure? As a result, the erection of cottages in the rural districts in South Kerry was held up for a considerable period. Would the Parliamentary Secretary's Department look into this matter fully at an early date?
It is the intention of the Minister, as the Deputy is aware, to meet a deputation from the Kerry County Council on this and other matters on Thursday, August 5th, when it is hoped the Deputy will be on the side of reason. I should like to point out to the Deputy, if he is not aware of it, that the erection of rural cottages in Kerry was held up because of the unwillingness of the council to take a stand against prices which were altogether excessive. Approval, for instance, was refused by the Department to the proposed acceptance of some tenders received in 1952. As a result, the same contractors reduced their prices by as much as £210 per cottage when the cottages were readvertised six months afterwards in March 1953. The Deputy is, no doubt, aware of other cases which are not so bad but the Minister hopes, at any rate, that he will have the goodwill of the Deputy on his side when he meets the Kerry County Council to discuss these and other matters on August 5th.