asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give details of Dublin Corporation's house building programme for 1970; and how far this will go towards easing the present urgent housing problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Housing Programme.
31.
The level of the corporation's housing activities in 1970 will be determined by their present overall housing programme. At the 30th September, 1969, they had, in their weekly tenancy programme, 2,276 houses and flats being built or ready to be started; new schemes were being prepared for 2,533 dwellings; and sites had been acquired or were being acquired for 5,030 dwellings. In their purchase houses/private sites programme, they had 1,802 dwellings in progress or ready to be started, were preparing plans for some 3,053 dwellings or private sites and were acquiring sites for another 6,000. Over 4,000 weekly tenancy or purchase type dwellings were, therefore, in progress or ready to be started, while plans were being prepared for a total of over 5,600 dwellings. At the same time, the number of families on their approved waiting list for rehousing was less than 5,000. Comparative details are not, of course, available at this stage for their 1970 programme. The corporation will however aim at maintaining this high level of activity, subject to available resources.
This impressive programme should make appreciable inroads on the housing needs of Dublin city, and, in particular, should enable the families who are at present on the corporation's approved waiting list to be offered suitable alternative housing accommodation within a reasonable period.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that the figure is nearer 10,000 families on Dublin Corporation's priority housing list and that, despite all those so-called grandiose schemes, there is no hope of families with two or three children being housed in the next year? Is he aware of this fact and is he also aware that the same families are being debarred from obtaining loans for houses because of their low incomes? Will he now state how soon the housing list can be cleared by Dublin Corporation? Will he give the facts about this and up-to-date figures?
I am not so aware.
The Minister——
The Deputy is not asking a question. He is giving information instead of asking a question.
He is giving misinformation.
I am asking the Minister if he will now state how soon these families will be housed, these 10,000 families, almost, on Dublin Corporation's housing list and if he will state what scheme comparable to Ballymun is at present in progress in Dublin city, to try to relieve the present housing crisis?
There is no room in Dublin city. We have to build them in Tallaght which is in Dublin county.
Is the Minister aware that these are purchase houses and that only 250 of them are being built within the next year despite the fact that a draw took place for 500?
The Deputy referred to a scheme comparable to Ballymun. There is a 700-house NBA scheme in Tallaght. With regard to the rest of the Deputy's question, if he did not listen to the reply, perhaps he would read it.
Will the Minister state that these houses are for families on the Dublin Corporation housing list?
Yes.
Will he state the number again?
700.
These are for tenancy houses. Does the Minister expect that they will be available within the next year?
They will not complete the 700 in one year as the Deputy should know if he knew anything about housing.
Why?
Will the Minister state how soon——
Who wants to know why?
Why?
Because it is not physically possible.
Nonsense.
The Deputy knows nothing about it. He has not sufficient interest in the problem.
In relation to the second part of the question, would the Minister state how far this will go towards alleviating the present dreadful problem?
Will I read the reply again?
Please.
Only if it answers the question.
We cannot have replies being read twice in view of the number of supplementaries.
Will the Minister now state if families with two and three children on the present housing list can hope to be housed within the next six months?
A substantial number of them, depending on their present housing conditions.
The Minister will not give an honest answer.
May I ask a question?
I am calling Question No. 32.