Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 1967

Vol. 229 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Housing Vacancies.

10.

asked the Minister for Local Government the number of casual vacancies which occurred in Dublin Corporation housing estates in 1956-57; and if there was a waiting list for Dublin Corporation dwellings in that year.

I am informed by Dublin Corporation that there was a total of 986 vacancies in their dwellings in 1956-57, and that their waiting list showed a total of 6,520 applications for re-housing.

Could the Minister say—I know this is an inspired question—what the position was in relation to the housing needs in Dublin city when the inter-Party Government took office in 1948? Has he the figures handy? Is it not a fact it was 30,000 houses?

I have not got that information but if the Deputy puts down a question, I will get it for him.

I remember very well the figure was 30,000. I was in this House at the time. There were more dwellings than there were people looking for them in 1956-57.

The position at that time was that there were 986 vacancies and there were 6,500 people on the waiting list. It was in the circumstances of this huge waiting list that the coalition Government stopped all housing activities in Dublin and the rest of the country.

The Minister is aware that front bench Fine Gael and Labour Deputies have persistently stated that there were more houses than there were applicants for them in 1956. Is the Minister aware——

(Interruptions.)

Listen to a real Labour Deputy.

Deputy Dowling is entitled to ask a supplementary question, and should be allowed to do so.

He is if he knows what to say. He has no brief now.

The Minister is aware that front bench Fine Gael and Labour Deputies have persistently stated that there were more houses than applicants in 1956-57. It now seems that there are 7,000 houses missing in the city and could the Minister get the police to investigate where they are.

(Interruptions.)

Question No. 11.

Top
Share