asked the Minister for Local Government the number of substandard dwellings in the Dublin Corporation area.
43.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Housing.
42.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of people living in substandard accommodation in Dublin.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.
Information is not available in the form requested by the Deputy. In their statutory assessment of housing needs under the Housing Act, 1966, dated 1st July, 1967, Dublin Corporation estimated that there was then an accumulated need for corporation dwellings for 3,262 families living in unfit dwellings incapable of economic repair, and for 161 families living in structurally dangerous dwellings, or in dwellings condemned under previous Housing Acts. As regards families living in corporation dwellings which are regarded by the housing authority as being below present day standards, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 10 and 11 of 7th May, 1968, on the subject.
Did the Minister receive from Dublin Corporation a recommendation that the cubic space which is referred to in the Housing Acts as applicable in the determination of what is and what is not an overcrowded housing case should be at least doubled from the present 400 cubic feet per person? If he has received this recommendation, which was sent some considerable time ago, what does he propose to do about it?
That is a separate question.
The Minister should be familiar with that.
This question has to do with substandard dwellings. If the Deputy wants that information let him put down a question.
Would the Minister state if the present substandard dwellings are being used as debtors' prisons for tenants who cannot pay their rent?
They are not.
(Interruptions.)
44.
asked the Minister for Local Government how soon Dublin Corporation will commence the allocation of flats in the new flats at Charlemont Street, Dublin; and if he will state the total number of flats there, giving details of the numbers of one, two, three and four roomed flats.
I understand from Dublin Corporation that they hope to be in a position to commence the allocation of flats at Charlemont Street to tenants in May, 1969. The scheme will contain a total of 168 flats, made up as follows: 56 one-room flats; 92 three-room flats; 15 four-room flats; 5 five-room flats.
Will the Minister state when they will be allocated?
In May, 1969. I did state it.
We did not hear the Minister.
No, you were shouting.
I was not. The Minister would not speak up.
The Deputy would hear if he would stop shouting and listen.
45.
asked the Minister for Local Government the total acreage of land acquired by Dublin Corporation for house-building purposes in each of the past three years.
I understand from Dublin Corporation that the total acreage acquired by them for house-building purposes over the past 3 years is as follows: 1965, 281 acres; 1966, 94 acres; 1967, 1,341 acres. They have acquired 741 acres to date in the current year.
46.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that many Dublin Corporation tenants anxious to purchase their houses are being denied this opportunity, owing to draft planning and development plans; that the time limit for acquiring their houses will have expired before the Dublin Corporation can decide if the draft plans will be put into operation; and that in consequence they are being deprived of their normal rights as tenants; and if he will take steps to rectify the matter.
I understand that Dublin Corporation do not propose to sell houses affected or likely to be affected by their draft development plan or re-development proposals since, if they did sell these houses, they would have to buy them back in a few years' time, either by agreement or compulsorily.
The time limit referred to by the Deputy for purchase schemes is twelve months from the date of notification to the tenant of the market value of his house. No such notifications are being issued for the houses in question.
It is open to a tenant to apply to the corporation for a transfer from his existing house, and the corporation will consider his application in accordance with their scheme of letting priorities. If he is transferred, he may purchase the house to which he is transferred. The discount from the market value to which he will be entitled will take into account his period of tenancy in the former house.
Will the Minister state if special consideration will be given to these tenants in their application for a transfer in view of the fact that they are being deprived of their right to buy their houses?
That is a matter for Dublin Corporation.
Would the Minister recommend to Dublin Corporation——
It is a matter for Dublin Corporation. I do not do the job of the members of Dublin Corporation.
The Minister will not do his job.
I will not do the job of the members of Dublin Corporation. If the Deputy knows any member of Dublin Corporation who attends there and does his job, let him get in touch with him and get this done.