asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that there are at present 120 people domiciled in Griffith Barracks, Dublin, with no homes of their own; that they constitute separated families, some of which have as many as eight persons, and have been domiciled there for over six or seven months; and, if so, if he will now take special steps to ensure that Dublin Corporation will deal with these cases as a matter of high priority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Families in Dublin Barracks.
61.
I understand that on the night of 23rd-24th November, 1964, a total of 96 persons were living in Griffith Barracks, in accommodation provided by the Dublin Health Authority. I am informed that families coming within the Corporation's present priority categories are considered by the Corporation for rehousing as vacancies arise and that family groups who have been living in the accommodation provided by the health authority for periods exceeding seven months are all in the small family category.
As I have already indicated, Dublin Corporation are expanding their housing output with a view to providing suitable accommodation for all who should appropriately be housed by them but I am not in a position to say when any particular family will be re-housed.
Are these the families on whom houses have fallen down, and am I right in believing that, in respect of the women and children housed at present in these disused barracks, the fathers and husbands are allowed to visit them for short periods every day and, apart from that, only a few social workers are allowed to visit them? Does the Minister consider this to be a satisfactory situation to obtain in our capital city in 1964?
If the Deputy puts down a question, I will have the answer for him.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say how many families have been housed out of Griffith Barracks?
Yes.
No wonder his breath is taken away.
I will get the figures and have them furnished to the Deputy.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary say these people were given priority?
No. As the Deputy will appreciate, housing authorities have a statutory obligation to rehouse families in accordance with the regulations.
I appreciate that, but is any special consideration given to these people who have not any homes at all?
The families with a large number of children in them would automatically get priority.
And three families out of seven have been housed out of Griffith Barracks this week.
I should also like to point out that the very generous offer of the Dublin and Suburban Workmen's Building Society to give these people accommodation on very generous terms has not been availed of.
So it is these people's own fault that they are in Griffith Barracks. You aught to be ashamed of yourselves.
What is Deputy Blaney doing?