asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has yet completed his inquiries into the complaints received in connection with the letting of corporation houses in Waterford, and, if so, whether he has come to any decision in the matter, and the nature of the decision; further, how many people, who lodged complaints, have since been housed by the corporation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Housing Complaints.
The extent of my responsibilities in this matter and also my general views on the rents question which has a close bearing on the complaints referred to, were set out in my reply to the Deputy's question of 29th March last. The further information on matters of detail then sought has not yet been supplied by the corporation. I am not in a position to say, from the information available to me, how many of the persons who wrote to the Deputy have since been housed by the corporation.
Does the Minister agree that evidence has been supplied by me on the basis that those who got houses and were not entitled to them were listed and those who were entitled to houses and did not get them were also listed? Is it not reasonable to suggest that he as the Minister for Local Government has the responsibility to see that State money is used in accordance with his own letting regulations?
If there is a breach of the letting regulation, if the priority set out in the house letting regulations is not complied with, I may withhold the subsidy but further than that I have no function.
Has the Minister done that?
As I have explained to the Deputy I wrote for certain information to the city manager. I have not received a reply; I have caused a verbal request to be conveyed to him to let me have that information and he is to have it prepared in the next few days.
Does that mean that not only does the Waterford City Manager refuse to carry out regulations but is also so insolent as to refuse to reply to the Minister? Surely there is a case for suspension?
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will have investigated a complaint by tenants of the Marion Park Estate, Waterford City, that they are being charged repayments from September, 1953, by the Waterford Corporation, although the building of their houses did not commence until January, 1954.
I have no information on this matter. Loan repayment terms would be governed by the mortgage deeds and there would be no point in my conducting an investigation into a matter in which I have no official functions.
Assuming that I have information and an opinion of the State Solicitor in Waterford that not only is there a case for the Minister but that in the State Solicitor's opinion there is a case for a sworn inquiry—I will read extracts from his letters——
The Deputy may not read extracts during Question Time.
Would the Minister undertake if the papers are handed to him to have an investigation, and this time to carry out the inquiry?
As I said, I have no function but if the Deputy hands me the papers he can rest assured I will carefully consider them.