andMr. Clinton asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the serious housing shortage and the necessity for removing all unnecessary obstacles to the solution of the problem, he will now consider leaving to the local authorities all decisions relating to the suitability and acquisition of sites for local authority housing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Housing Sites.
24.
The extent to which it is possible to delegate to local authorities responsibility for acquiring housing sites is limited by a number of considerations. In compulsory acquisition, and in certain cases of acquisition for future use, confirmation or approval by the Minister is a statutory requirement. As regards normal acquisition by agreement it is essential in the case of large-scale schemes, which would involve heavy State loan and subsidy outlay, that the Department should have an opportunity to consider the proposals before a final commitment is entered into in respect of the site.
County councils were recently given authority to acquire sites for the housing of small farmers without reference to the Department and the possibility of extending this concession will be reviewed when local authorities have gained further experience of operating the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, including application of the planning considerations envisaged in the Act to housing developments in their areas. In the meantime there will be no avoidable delay in dealing with site acquisition proposals which are submitted to the Department in appropriate form.
Would the Minister not agree in regard to the inspection of these sites at local level that the competent authority, and local officials who are on the spot and who, as I said previously, have full academic qualifications and experience in this respect, are the people to determine the suitability of sites? In regard to compulsory acquisition the Minister should consult them. Can the Minister see any reason for continuing the taking of action by his officials following decisions taken by local officials?
So far as large scale development is concerned, it is immaterial whether the site has been compulsorily acquired or by agreement, in that large house-building by a local authority involves heavy commitments by the Government in both subsidy and loan. While that is so, the responsibility rests with the Department of Local Government to arrange for the development of a place on a wide scale which involves large amounts of money so that they are satisfied before it starts that it is the proper thing to do. The other argument is that local technical people are qualified to make these decisions, and academically they are so trained. That is not a fact. Unfortunately the record does not point out that they and they alone, know what is right and what is wrong in all cases. We have a record and I do not mind anybody seeing it, where it was left entirely to the local people in relation to large scale development in various parts of the country.
This question really has regard to the suitability of sites. The question arises then whether the people in the Department of Local Government are better qualified than the local people to decide on suitability. In the present circumstances where so many houses are needed so quickly, could the Minister not suspend his power over the decision on suitability and acquisition for, say, a period of 12 months?
I indicated recently that so far as rural houses for farmers are concerned, these sites were not subject to agreement, so that the local authority could go ahead. Further to that, I am considering whether that may not be further widened to take in sites for rural houses, regardless of whether they are for farmers or not. In so far as single houses, or even to the extent of two or three houses or small lots in various places in the country are concerned, it might be feasible to give full clearance there and allow them to go ahead. So far as the larger schemes of development are concerned, I do not hold out a hope that they will, in fact, be given a clear run in this particular case while the Government still carry their responsibility, both by loan and subsidy, to pay for the entire development. I do not think it is quite right that we should be asked to do so.