andMr. Galvin asked the Minister for Local Government whether his attention has been drawn to reports of a statement that he was resorting to excuses for holding up the housing programme in Cork County Borough; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork County Borough Housing.
41.
My attention has been drawn to the report referred to by the Deputies. The statement that I have been holding up Cork Corporation's housing programme is completely at variance with the facts.
During the 12 months ended 31st January, 1959, work was begun on 454 houses for the corporation, compared with only 83 houses begun in the preceding 12 months. The number of men employed on the corporation's housing schemes rose from 366 at 31st January, 1958, to 488 at 31st January, 1959. The number of houses being built was 401 at the end of January, 1958, and at the end of last January had risen to 551, the highest number of houses in course of construction at that date by any local authority in the country.
The reference to "excuses" may relate to correspondence which is in progress with the corporation arising out of the information compiled by their officers in regard to housing needs, slum clearance prospects, vacancies in municipal houses, etc. The conclusions to be reached from this information as to the stage which the corporation is reaching in meeting their housing needs are matters of fact and my Department's correspondence with the corporation is motivated solely by the desire to ascertain the facts.