Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1963

Vol. 205 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Housing Conditions: Motions.

Mr. S. Dunne

I move:

That Dáil Éireann calls on the Minister for Local Government to take power to abolish the Housing Committees of Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council on the grounds:

(1) that, despite the fact that Dublin Corporation officially admits that applications for housing accommodation were received from 8,748 citizens, the record shows that only 309 dwellings were built in 1961, and that present building proposals seem to be based upon a plan to provide dwellings for only one family of every eight who apply;

(2) that Dublin County Council despite its acknowledged waiting list of housing applications of 988, in 1961 erected only 52 houses and appeared to have no immediate plans for the construction of more than 90 odd in 1962, or a ratio of one dwelling for every ten applications received; and

(3) that the housing plans of these bodies do not make sufficient provision for the accommodation demands arising from the annual number of marriages in the city and county;

and that, further, Dáil Éireann considers that, in the light of this obvious neglect of responsibility and disregard for the hardships being suffered by thousands of persons living in overcrowded conditions, particularly as Corporation or County Council subtenants and as occupiers of ratinfested apartments, the Minister for Local Government should set up a Dublin City and County Housing Authority charged with the urgent and essential task of speedily providing a dwelling for all Dublin citizens who are in need of a home.

The following amendment in the names of Deputies D. Costello and Ryan:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" where these words first occur and substitute:

"(a) draws attention to the serious social problems resulting from the unjustified decline in the housing programme in Dublin city and county;

(b) criticises the Government for permitting this decline to take place; and

(c) calls on the Minister for Local Government to take immediate steps to increase substantially the present building programme."

was put and declared lost.

Motion put and declared lost.

The following motion in the names of Deputies D. Costello and other Fine Gael Deputies:

That Dáil Éireann, viewing with great concern the appalling housing conditions which exist at present in the city of Dublin and the country generally, and believing that urgent and drastic measures are necessary to alleviate the present situation, resolves to establish a Select Committee of Dáil Éireann of fifteen persons for the purpose of:

(a) investigating the causes of the present housing shortage,

(b) evaluating the future housing needs for the city and the country generally,

(c) examining the present legislation relating to housing and its administration, and

(d) considering the steps necessary to deal with the present situation,

which Committee would be required to report to Dáil Éireann within three months of its appointment and would have power to send for persons, papers and documents."

was put and declared lost.