asked the Minister for Local Government (a) the number of appeals against the condition of Council cottages, when vested, in (1) County Kildare, and (2) County Westmeath, which are under consideration in his Department; (b) the number which have been examined by his inspectors about which the appellants have not been notified; (c) the number which have not yet been inspected; and (d) the date on which the appeal regarding the first cottage in (b) and (c) was notified to his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vested Cottage Appeals.
18.
(a) 140 valid appeals under Section 18 of the Labourers Act, 1936, from tenant purchasers in County Kildare are awaiting or under consideration; (b) 77 of these appeals have been examined by my inspector; (c) the balance of 63 are at various stages prior to inspection. The figures for County Westmeath are (a) 26, (b) 17 and (c) 9.
The oldest appeals in County Kildare under heads (b) and (c) were received on 6th April, 1960 and 21st November, 1960, respectively. These cases were two of a number where the County Council informed my Department that the cottages were by agreement vested before any necessary repairs were carried out in order to enable the tenants of the cottages to avail themselves of the appropriate grants for connections to the public water and sewerage mains. I understand that the repairs have since been carried out in both cases. Arrangements are being made to have both appeals formally determined.
The oldest appeals in County Westmeath under heads (b) and (c) were received on 22nd September, 1962, and 5th December, 1962, respectively.
Can the Minister say if it will be long before they are investigated by an inspector of his Department?
No, I do not think so.