asked the Minister for Local Government by what means he is kept informed of the Dublin Corporation housing problem to ensure that he obtains more up-todate figures than those of 18th February 1969.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Housing.
11.
asked the Minister for Local Government when up-to-date figures on the number of applicants on Dublin Corporation housing list will be made available to his Department.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
I am kept informed by the corporation of any substantial changes in the number on their approved waiting list. Such changes arise, as a rule, from the comprehensive reviews of the waiting list carried out from time to time by the corporation. I have no information as to when the next general review of the list will be undertaken.
Would the Minister not think that it might be in the public interest to keep them informed of the situation as to the number on the housing list? The Minister will agree that the big problem is that people are not informed of the situation. He might consider the suggestion I made to him some time ago about appointing a public relations officer to Dublin Corporation for the purpose of providing this information. We might avoid the scare headlines about housing if he were to give the correct information regularly to the public.
That would be a matter for Dublin Corporation. I am not Dublin Corporation.
The Minister will admit that Dublin Corporation are not subject to anyone at the moment except to his good self?
They are not subject to me.
Who is going to control them or should we now decide to disband the whole corporation besides the council?
The commissioner.
Would the Minister not agree that the commissioner is subject to him?
No.
I am not being difficult in this. I hear this question being answered time and again. The Minister says he is not responsible for Dublin Corporation. I should like very much to ask him who is the commissioner and who gives him the power or has he usurped this power and become a dictator in our midst? If he has, that is a very serious situation.
He represents the citizens of Dublin in view of the fact that the elected representatives abandoned their trust—a majority of them.
The citizens of Dublin did not appoint the city commissioner.
The people they did appoint would not do the job.
They are anxious to have information about the housing situation. Quite honestly, I ask him if this information could be provided.
I gave a lot of information a couple of nights ago.
I am afraid the Minister did not. He gave information up to 18th February, 1969, which I do not consider up to date.
13.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of new (a) houses and (b) flats which Dublin Corporation propose to make available to applicants on their housing list by 31st December 1969 exclusive of purchase-type houses.
Information is not available in my Department as to the number of new dwellings which Dublin Corporation propose to make available between now and 31st December, 1969 to applicants on their housing list.
This is a case of the Minister refusing or not being in a position to supply information. It is very important to the citizens of Dublin that this information be provided. I ask you, Sir, once again, for permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment. This information should be provided. It is vital information for the citizens of Dublin.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government if further to a reply of 23rd October he will state the total amount of house purchase loans issued by (1) Dublin Corporation and (2) Dublin County Council in 1968-69; what proportion of the £9.2 million these two local authorities have already received respectively for house purchase loans for 1969-70; and if the capital received for this purpose has already been used.
Payments of house-purchase loans by Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council in 1968-69 amounted to £2,183,168 and £959,676, respectively. Of the £9,200,000 which is available to local authorities generally to meet house-purchase and reconstruction loan payments in 1969-70, £2,550,000 and £1,290,000, respectively is available to these authorities. Of these sums, £793,000 and £692,000, respectively, were spent between 1st April and 30th September, 1969, leaving £1,757,000 and £598,000 respectively, for payments between 1st October and 31st March next.
Will the Minister now state that there are no grounds whatsoever for the newspaper report to the effect that Dublin County Council are bankrupt? The Minister states that £598,000 is available. If this money is available for house purchase loans, is there any truth then in the newspaper report that Dublin County Council have no money for loans?
If any newspaper stated that Dublin County Council are bankrupt or have no money for loans, that is not correct.
May we take it that the sum of £598,000 is available for house-purchase loans?
Yes.
15.
asked the Minister for Local Government if Dublin Corporation will reduce the waiting period of six months to three months in the case of families who have returned from abroad and are seeking housing accommodation.
Dublin Corporation's approved scheme of letting priorities provides that "families returning from outside the country who would otherwise qualify for housing will not be housed until six months after their return, except in cases of emergency. Where the family has been away for not more than six months, the waiting period will be reduced to three months or a shorter period in cases of emergency". Any amendment of this provision would be a matter for consideration by the local authority in the first instance.