asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a comprehensive statement about future local authority building of unit construction houses, including such matters as the likely extent to which this type of construction will be used, the likely reduction in labour content as compared with traditional methods, and the categories of tradesmen and workers affected by this reduction; and whether he has ascertained the views of the trade unions whose members are directly involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building of Unit Construction Houses.
11.
As I indicated in a press statement some time ago, I propose to arrange through the National Building Agency Ltd. for the erection at Ballymun of 3,000 dwellings on behalf of Dublin Corporation by the French Balency system for flats and the British Lowton Cubitt system for houses. Since the scheme is in addition to the Corporation's ordinary programme it will not involve a reduction, but an increase, in overall employment. I have informed the unions concerned of developments to date on the scheme. It would be premature to expect detailed views from them at this stage.
Apart from the Ballymun project, no approval has been given to the use for local authority building of any of the new systems, methods and techniques for which I have received proposals. It is, accordingly, too early to give any estimate of the extent to which future local authority houses may be erected by non-traditional methods, or of the effect of such methods on the labour content of housing work.
In this connection, however, I would refer to the recent White Paper on housing which indicates a target of 12,000 to 14,000 houses per annum by 1970. Such an increase in output cannot but increase the labour force in the industry.
Can I be satisfied that he will keep in close consultation with the unions concerned?
The Deputy would be correct in that assumption.