asked the Minister for Local Government if he is yet in a position to provide figures of the numbers of people on Dublin Corporation housing list; and, if so. if he will give details.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Housing.
98.
I understand that Dublin Corporation have not yet completed their comprehensive review of their approved waiting list for rehousing but that they expect to do so in the near future.
If I put down a question next week will the Minister have the information available?
The Deputy might ask Dublin Corporation about this.
I would prefer to ask the Minister.
The Deputy can put down a question next week.
99.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of dwellings which Dublin Corporation propose to build in 1971; and how far this number will go towards relieving the present housing shortage.
Estimates of housing completions are submitted to my Department by housing authorities in respect of the financial year, but not of the calendar year. As regards the Dublin Corporation's estimate of completions for 1970-71. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 48 of 17th November, 1970. on the subject. I have not, as yet, received an estimate from the corporation of the number of dwellings they expect to complete in 1971-72.
At 31st October, 1970, they had, in their weekly tenancy programme, 1,908 houses and flats being built or ready to be started: new schemes were being prepared for 6,002 dwellings, and sites had been, or were being, acquired for 6,565 dwellings. In their purchase houses-private sites programme, they had 838 dwellings in progress, were preparing plans for 1,171 dwellings or private sites and had acquired sites for a further 2.850 dwellings. This programme should make substantial inroads on the housing requirements of applicants for corporation dwellings.
In his reply the Parliamentary Secretary said this should make inroads. May I ask him to repeat the last line? Considerable inroads?
Substantial inroads.
How would the Parliamentary Secretary know that if he does not know the number of people on the housing list? How could he know it should make substantial inroads when he has not got the other information? Could the Parliamentary Secretary comment on that?
No, I am afraid——
No, he cannot.
In view of the fact that the corporation have approximately 20,000 sites between houses under construction and houses in progress, and the fact that there are only approximately 4,000 people on the waiting list, surely this should be adequate to meet the situation?
The Parliamentary Secretary cannot give me the information but thanks to Deputy Dowling——
Yes, I have given it.
I am asking how many are on the waiting list.
I am giving the Deputy the information requested in Question No. 99.
He was not able to give it to me on Question No. 98.
The Deputy heard the answer to Question No. 98.
I got the information from Deputy Dowling.
A garbled version from Deputy Dowling.
There are about 4,000 on the waiting list. That is right.
Tell that to the people of Dublin.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper unless Deputies are prepared to take written answers which they may obtain if they so desire. The House now resumes the Order of Business.