asked the Minister for Local Government what is the number of houses in Wexford town which have been declared unfit for habitation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Houses Unfit for Habitation.
8.
A total of 55 houses in Wexford town have been certified by the County Medical Officer as unfit for human habitation. 31 of these houses are regarded by the housing authority as capable of being repaired at reasonable cost.
Can the Minister say whether the figures quoted by him in answer to Question 7 include houses which would be deemed to be overcrowded?
I am not quite sure but, if the figures I have given are compiled on the basis of applications from suitable persons in the area, then, I take it, they would be included.
I do not think overcrowded houses would be included.
They need not necessarily be excluded either.
What I am trying to tell the Minister is that we need more than 31 houses.
When that is established, I hope to be informed accordingly. The information here is based on a request for sanction for 30 houses. All relevant factors will be considered if and when the matter is brought to the notice of the Department.
It seems to be very difficult to convince the Minister that we need these houses and even more difficult to get him to permit the Wexford Corporation to build them.
The difficulty is one that has grown up over a number of years. There was a considerable backlog in housing over the past 20 years or so, and extensive building operations have taken place to meet that back-log. It is now necessary to ensure that there will not be over-building. Regard must be had to that factor. The habit has apparently now grown up of regarding any delay as due to the Minister and his Department rather than to the ordinary regulations governing this matter. I am as anxious as anybody in this House to build houses.
Everybody seems to be anxious, but the houses are not being built.
We are still awaiting essential information. We have asked for it and we are hoping to have it in a very short time.