asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement indicating the immediate, early, or long term prospects of accommodating families of five and over living in Dublin in overcrowded conditions as subtenants in (a) condemned rooms, (b) one room, and (c) two rooms; and whether the position has changed in the matter of affording accommodation to (1) married couples with no children, (2) elderly married couples, and (3) single persons being evicted from dangerous buildings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Dublin Families.
25.
The provision of housing for persons who cannot house themselves with the aid of the grants and loans available from public funds is a matter primarily for the local authority for the area where the persons are resident.
In so far as Dublin city is concerned, the Corporation suspended normal priorities in the allocation of housing tenancies with effect from 14th June, 1963, in favour of persons requiring evacuation from dangerous buildings. At present 90 per cent of all new vacancies are reserved for this category, the residue being made available to families living in seriously overcrowded conditions. I understand that the question of reverting to normal priorities is to be considered at a meeting of the Corporation's Housing Committee in the near future.
As regards the re-housing of persons evacuated from dangerous buildings, I understand that the practice of the Corporation is to offer accommodation to elderly couples and to elderly single persons, and that it is intended to provide compensation to young childless couples and young single persons in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964. There has, I understand, been no recent change in the Corporation's policy in this respect.
The Corporation have adopted a programme for the erection of 10,000 dwellings over the next five or six years and to supplement this programme I am arranging through the National Building Agency for the construction, on the Corporation's behalf, of 3,000 additional dwellings at Ballymun. This output, with that of private builders, should help to relieve the current pressing demand for housing accommodation in the city.