asked the Minister for Local Government how many houses in the Dublin area are at present represented as unfit for human habitation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Housing.
20.
Dublin Corporation in their statutory assessment of housing needs made in pursuance of section 53 of the Housing Act, 1966, and dated 1st July, 1967, indicated an accumulated need for 3,423 corporation dwellings to meet the needs of families who were then living in unfit dwellings which were incapable of economic repair or were structurally dangerous or were condemned under previous Housing Acts. This assessment was made in respect of the period ending on 31st March, 1971. The corporation will be required to make a further assessment of housing needs in respect of the five-year period commencing on 1st April, 1971.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government how many houses in the Dublin area have been condemned as dangerous in the past five years.
22.
asked the Minister for Local Government how many houses in the Dublin area condemned during the past five years have been subsequently reconditioned.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
Statistics of the numbers of dangerous structure notices served in relation to dwellings by the three local authorities in the Dublin area under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964, are available in my Department for the three year period ended 31st March, 1969, only. In that period the number of such notices served was 1,200. I cannot say how many of these dwellings were subsequently made safe. However, the total number of dwellings, which were the subject of dangerous structure notices, and were made safe in the same period, was 1,253.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government the amount spent on maintenance of Dublin Corporation dwellings for the past five years.
The figures requested by the Deputy are not yet available in my Department for the year ended 31st March, 1970. The amount spent by Dublin Corporation on the maintenance of their dwellings—including caretaking—in the five years ended March, 1969, was £4,985,000. This sum does not of course include the amount spent on loan charges, insurance etc.
24.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of applicants on Dublin Corporation's housing waiting lists (a) approved list, (b) unapproved list.
I would refer the Deputy to replies to Questions Nos. 32 to 37 of 18th February, 1969, which set out the most recent information available in my Department regarding the number of applicants on the Dublin Corporation's approved waiting list for rehousing. So far as I am aware, there has not been any significant change since then in the general position regarding the total number of applicants on the list.
I understand that the corporation intend to carry out a further comprehensive review of the position later this year.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of corporation dwellings under construction in the Dublin area at present.
At 31st May, 1970, Dublin Corporation had a total of 2,516 dwellings in progress, comprising 1,566 weekly-tenancy dwellings and 950 purchase type houses.
26.
asked the Minister for Local Government why Dublin Corporation is no longer valuing houses which their tenants have opted to buy; and if and when they intend to resume valuations.
The detailed administration of their sales scheme is a matter for the corporation. However, returns submitted by them indicate that at a recent date over 9,000 of their tenants have indicated an interest in purchase, that the houses had been valued and the prices notified to the tenants in over 5,600 cases and that the valuing of further houses was proceeding.
Is the Minister satisfied there is no delay in valuing?
I am satisfied valuing is proceeding as quickly as possible.
Is the Minister aware that there is common complaint that tenants are told by the corporation that they have not sufficient officials to go around and value properties? They are too busy to arrange for valuation.
Valuing is proceeding and will, I hope, continue as rapidly as possible.
Is the Minister aware that the Labour Party tried to prevent people purchasing their houses?
A bit of light relief. The voice from the past.
Which did not get promotion in the recent past. It is annoying; he is trying to lynch Lynch now.