asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that houses and out-offices handed over during many land divisions in the past were badly built, and that great inconvenience has been suffered by allottees as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Houses and Out-offices of Land Allottees.
Some dwelling-houses and out-offices provided by the Land Commission are built by contract and others by direct labour. In addition, the houses in some cases are constructed by tenants or allottees themselves with financial assistance from the Land Commission. Since 1945, about 1,800 dwelling-houses and 2,100 out-offices have been erected by or with assistance from the Land Commission. There is no evidence to justify the statement that these buildings were badly constructed. Complaints received are very few in number and generally relate to minor defects which are remedied by the Land Commission except where it is obvious that they are due to lack of maintenance by the tenants. I know of only one serious complaint which arose in County Wexford and, in that instance, the materials were supplied during the emergency and proved to be not up to standard. The design of Land Commission dwellings has recently been improved.