asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress made with builders for the provision of low priced housing, which he initiated in August last.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Low Priced Housing.
102.
Last August, by public advertisement, I invited manufacturers and contractors in the building industry to submit to me proposals for dwellings which would offer significant economies in cost on the basis of guaranteed orders over a period of years. Because of the continued rise in building costs, I felt that positive action to secure economies of cost on a national scale was called for, apart from the various measures which I had already in train such as the co-ordination of component manufacture on a modular basis, the encouraging of smaller type houses by alterations in the grant system, the preparation of standard plans for use by persons wishing to build their own houses, and so on.
My intention in issuing the advertisement was to give contractors and manufacturers the opportunity to propose the type of dwelling unit which they could provide on the most economical basis. An outline performance specification was made available to ensure that any proposals put forward would comply with minimum standards. I made it clear that I was prepared to consider proposals for dwellings of traditional construction or pre-fabricated and for dwellings having a shorter life than the type of dwelling now normally provided.
Firms were asked to quote on the basis of guaranteed orders of 100 dwellings or multiples of 100 dwellings each year over a period of three to five years. Housing authorities were informed, through their county managers, of my intentions in issuing the advertisement and their co-operation in the project was sought. As a result of the advertisement, I received about 90 proposals, of which some 50 could be regarded as firm proposals. The contractors who submitted these latter proposals were interviewed subsequently and additional information was obtained from them for the purpose of evaluating their proposals on a comparative basis. A short list was then prepared of the firms who were offering the lowest prices consistent with the performance specification standards. This list included firms offering dwelling units of a traditional nature, of rationalised traditional construction and of prefabrication.
In the case of some of the firms short-listed where dwellings are of a type which were not familiar to housing authorities, I intend to arrange immediately to have prototypes built.
In the meantime, all firms whose proposals have been short-listed are being asked to submit detailed working drawings and a detailed specification for the dwelling units proposed by them and accepted in principle by my Department as complying with the performance specification. They are also being asked to submit an outline specification and a schedule of rates for development and site works, since they may be required to carry out such works.
As I am anxious to get some dwellings built under the low-cost housing project as soon as possible, I am seeking the special co-operation of a number of housing authorities in proceeding with the building of low cost houses on sites which they can make available for this purpose.
In the meantime, I am awaiting an indication from housing authorities generally of the extent to which they may be able to participate in the low-cost housing project. I am not as yet in a position to give detailed information as to costs but I can say that from the examination made to date it appears that while maintaining essential minimum standards I can hope for economies in the cost of the current housing programme. The present project will also contribute economies in the longer term by supplementing the drive for rationalisation and greater efficiency in the building industry.
I might add that I remain open to receive any proposals which manufacturers or firms or the professions wish to put forward which offer promise of cost savings while maintaining acceptable standards.
I should like to thank the Minister for a most elaborate reply.