asked the Minister for Local Government when it is expected to sanction the erection of the rural cottages in County Dublin proposed by the local housing authority; if he will state the latest objections to these proposals; and if he is aware that some of the sites concerned may soon be purchased for private building.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Cottages.
20.
There are proposals at present before my Department for approval to the acceptance of tenders for the erection of two unserviced rural cottages and for approval in principle to the erection of six other unserviced cottages and for a group of six of a potentially serviced type. As I informed the Deputy, in reply to a question on 3rd April last, I am not satisfied that Dublin County Council with its relatively high and increasing population and its existing and proposed arrangements for the provision of piped water supplies should, unless the circumstances are exceptional, erect unserviced cottages on sites which would compel the occupants to transport water, for domestic and other purposes, distances of up to half a mile and on which the only sanitary arrangements feasible are those provided by a chemical closet. The housing authority have adequate powers to acquire sites suitable for connection to public services or other water supplies and a septic tank.
As the proposals for two of the unserviced cottages have reached tender stage after many unsuccessful invitations to tender, I am prepared reluctantly to withdraw my objection in these cases, but I propose to ask the council to look again into the possibility of providing water and sewerage facilities for them.
With regard to the remaining six proposals for unserviced cottages and any other future proposals, I would have to be convinced that there are very exceptional circumstances and that the possibility of acquiring convenient sites suitable for servicing, whether from public services or other sources, has been fully explored, before approving the erection of further unserviced cottages. The county council is being informed accordingly.
The proposal for the potentially serviced cottages was received only recently and is under examination.
With regard to the last part of the question, I have no information regarding proposals for the sale for private building purposes of any of the sites on which the above cottages are proposed.
Is the Minister not already aware that it is only in exceptional circumstances we in Dublin County Council put that sort of case up? It is in a very rural part of County Dublin where it is desirable to keep men working on the farms.
Is he further aware that there is a misconception of the definition of "services" in this matter and that it would need clarification— that it does not necessarily mean they would have to live within a reasonable distance of a public service?
It should be made clear that whether it is a public supply service or not it is immaterial. We have now brought that to the notice of the county council lest there would be any misapprehension.