asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the lack of proper statistics on (i) the number of homeless people in Dublin and other major towns, (ii) the number of people living in substandard accommodation and (iii) the number who do not qualify for inclusion on housing lists, he will consider setting up a body to investigate the true situation with a view to determining the real housing needs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Needs.
30.
I do not accept that there is a lack of proper statistics regarding these types of housing needs. The Housing Act, 1966, imposes on housing authorities the obligation to make an inspection of dwellings in their functional area at least once in every five years and to ascertain the number of houses which are unfit or unsuitable for human habitation, and the amount of overcrowding which exists. Having regard to this information and any other relevant information they are required to assess the adequacy of the supply of housing and the prospective future demand for housing.
In assessing their housing needs, the authorities must have regard, inter alia, to the following primary objectives:—
(a) the repair, closure, or demolition of houses which are unfit or unsuitable for human habitation; (b) the elimination of overcrowding; (c) the provision of adequate and suitable housing accommodation for persons—including elderly or disabled persons—who, in the opinion of the authority, are in need of and are unable to provide such accommodation from their own resources; (d) the provision of adequate housing accommodation for persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
The first assessments of housing needs under the Act were made by local authorities generally in respect of the period ending 31 st March, 1971. These assessments were examined in my Department and the Government's considered views are set out in Chapter 1 of the White Paper Housing in the Seventies. Further assessments will now be made in respect of the period to 31st March, 1976.
The information obtained in the course of these assessments is supplemented from time to time by advertisements issued by individual housing authorities requesting families in need of housing to apply to them. Dublin Corporation in particular are at present completing a comprehensive review of their approved waiting list, and when this review has been completed, they will have a full picture of the circumstances of current applicants for corporation housing in the Dublin area. I do not consider it either necessary or desirable to set up yet another body to investigate housing needs. I regard the local housing authority as the body best qualified to do this.
Would the Minister say if married couples without a family are permitted to have their names on the housing list of Dublin Corporation?
They are.
They are not. Deputy Burke should get to know what is going on.
(Interruptions.)
I am asking the Minister to reply.
I am giving factual information after nine years experience.
It is the Minister we want to hear.
This is a very important matter. I am waiting for a reply from the Minister.
(Interruptions.)
I am asking the Minister if married couples without a family are permitted to be on Dublin Corporation waiting list and if single people, who are not elderly, are permitted to go on the waiting list?
They are.
They are not, and in view of this, how could the Minister have the proper statistics?
In view of the fact that the statistics made available to us in the White Paper do not break down the figures in any way by towns or cities, would the Minister make this information available because, presumably, the housing backlog figures in the White Paper must have been compiled by being built up from different areas. Can we have the figures area by area?
That is a separate question.
I have asked the Minister two supplementary questions, replies to which I have not yet received.
They are questions separate from what I have been asked here. It is a matter for Dublin Corporation and if the Deputy is attempting to get me to do his home work for him in relation to Dublin Corporation I do not see that I am obliged to answer the question as I had not advance information of his intention to ask it.
I asked the Minister——
Would the Deputy allow questions to continue? We cannot discuss the whole housing question here.
I have not been able to get an answer.
I have allowed six supplementary questions.
Would you allow one answer. Sir?
On a point of order, Sir, Deputy Dr. O'Connell asked a question.
This is not a point of order.
It is. The Chair is ruling that the question was not asked but it appeared on the Order Paper as being asked. It is there in black and white. Would the Chair care to read it?
That is not a point of order. The Deputy should read the Order Paper now and again.
I did not hear the Chair.
The Chair was being rude.
I am calling Question No. 31.
Can I have an answer to my question?
I am calling Question No. 31 by Deputy Joe Dowling. We cannot have a debate on this question.
I have asked a question and I did not get a reply. In view of the fact that this information is not available, will you set up a body to find this information? I feel very annoyed that the Minister has not given me an answer to this question. May I have an answer to my question?
I am calling Question No. 31.
Can I have an answer to my question?
Would the Deputy please resume his seat?
I asked a supplementary question arising from my question on the Order Paper. The Minister has not given the information. He hopes that you will pass it by.
This is a separate question.
It is not.
It is on the Order Paper.
Read the question.
It is embodied in the question.
The number of supplementaries allowed is a matter for the Chair. In this case I am calling Question No. 31.
The Chair is ruling that this is a separate question although it is clearly stated on the Order Paper as part of the question. It is bad enough having the Minister evasive without having the Chair cooperating with him.
For Deputy O'Connell's information, as he knows, and as I have told him before, Dublin Corporation are at present carrying out a review which they have not yet completed. I have already told the Deputy that when this review is carried out I will let him have the facts as they emerge. This is an up-to-date review being carried out by Dublin Corporation of those who are in need of housing and who will have applied to the corporation for housing.
(Interruptions.)
Can we get on with Questions? I have called Question No. 31.
The corporation are not supplying houses for the people.
Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
I have asked a question. Can I have an answer to it?
There are Standing Orders in the House. Would the Deputy please try to obey them? Will the Deputy please resume his seat? He is disorderly. Will the Deputy please sit down?
I am not disorderly.
The Deputy is disorderly.
The Minister is disorderly.
I doubt whether the Chair is impartial.