andMr. S. Dunne asked the Minister for Local Government what action he proposes to take to ensure that accommodation for those families living in the accommodation provided by the Dublin Health Authority at Griffith Barracks, Dublin will be brought into line with civilised and normal requirements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Families in Dublin Barracks.
24.
Dr. Browne
I understand that the homeless persons at present accommodated at Griffith Barracks do not include any persons displaced from dangerous buildings. At present priority in rehousing is being given by the Dublin Corporation to persons so displaced. The position in regard to the provision of housing for all persons in need of accommodation is, however, engaging the active attention of the Corporation and my Department is in constant touch with the Corporation in this and related housing matters.
I am sure the Minister is taking an interest in this matter but is he aware that the conditions under which these families are living are sufficiently bad as to be considered scandalous? These families are accommodated by the Dublin Health Authority in what is casual overnight shelter. Is the Minister aware that there are no proper cooking or washing facilities available for such a large number of families? Is he aware that fathers are separated from their families and can see their wives and children only for a limited period in the evening and that the children have to be brought across in the open to the place where the fathers are permitted to see them? Would the Minister not agree that it is quite wrong and immoral that there should be this break-up of family life as a result of the incompetence of the Dublin Corporation in the housing of our citizens?
There is no incompetence on the part of Dublin Corporation. The Deputy should ask his colleague, the Chairman of the Housing Committee.
Guilty man, Deputy Briscoe—conscience.
I do not have to move around like the Deputy to escape it.
I shall pass on to the health authority what the Deputy has said for their information.
Is the Minister in a position to tell the House what immediate action he will take or what action he will insist, if he is in a position to insist, the Corporation will take in order to remedy the basic needs of these people? Will he tell us whether he is permitted to insist that they will take immediate action, because those people have been there for some weeks? Will he insist that the Corporation accept their responsibilities as they have not been doing?
That is not true.
The question refers to institutional assistance given by the health authority and my approach to it was to try to be helpful. However, I see this is not appreciated.
Arising from the reply——
I cannot have these questions on this subject all evening.
It is a dreadful subject.
I have allowed three questions to Deputy Dr. Browne and I cannot allow any more.
I think it is most unfair that this responsibility should be placed on the shoulders of the Chairman of the Housing Committee of Dublin Corporation.
That is not a question.
Arising from the Minister's reply, I would ask if he would agree that the conditions afforded to those people are somewhat analogous to those given to displaced persons after the last war and whether he intends to do anything about it as a responsible Minister?
Instead of making statement here one after another after they have been ruled out, I would be glad if Deputies would sit down and think out matters they are interested in, then put down intelligent questions which warrant intelligent replies.
The Minister is neglecting his job.
There is not a bandwagon in the country that the Deputy has not tried to get on. He is shifting and shuffling.
The Minister is trying to get out of it, trying to shift his responsibilities.
I had been trying to give the Deputy the reasoned information I thought he was looking for but now I have every reason to doubt his motive. This is a Dublin Health Authority matter and the Deputy should know it.
It is the Minister's responsibility.
It is not a matter for the Chairman of the Housing Committee of Dublin Corporation.
I will allow no more questions. I have called Question No. 25.
The answer is that we all have a responsibility. This is a horrible scandal which is allowed to go on.
The Labour Party might settle this between themselves, now that they have this new acquisition. I have been as courteous as possible in the circumstances.
The Minister will have another question next week.
Repeat the question by all means, but try to understand the answer. I suppose that is why the Deputy keeps swivelling around, looking for a bandwagon to jump on.
Would you or your family like to live in such conditions?
Switch the bandwagon, for God's sake.
It is a scandalous situation——
This is the usual act by the Leader of the Opposition.
Would the Minister try not to shift his responsibility?
The Deputy is not asking a question. He is merely interrupting.
Would it be relevant to say the Minister is not answering questions either. He has every reason to be ashamed.
It is a scandalous situation.
Order. Question No. 25.