asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that approximately 1,400 families require rehousing in the Limerick County Borough, and if, in the circumstances, he is prepared to sanction proposals from the Limerick Corporation to build houses at a minimum rate of 250 a year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Borough Housing.
I am aware that the city manager has estimated that 1,353 working class families are living in unfit houses or overcrowded conditions in Limerick County Borough. I am prepared to consider any reasonable proposals which the corporation may make for the erection of so many new houses as may be required to meet established urgent needs when due allowance has been made for such relevant factors as the number of vacancies arising annually in their existing housing estate.
Does that mean that the figure would be accepted over a reasonable period of years? I mentioned 250 as related to 1,400 because the original estimate made a short while ago was that 1,000 houses were needed.
I understand that roughly 100 houses would become available each year for reletting and my reply means that we are prepared to consider any reasonable scheme submitted to us for the provision of the number of houses necessary to meet the situation that has been established in the city, provided allowance is made for that fact.
That means we can clear off the arrears in the quickest possible time?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware —and also the Deputy who asked the question—that in the last year of the Coalition Government only 56 houses were built?