(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Cavan County Council do not instal electric current in prefabricated houses provided for elderly people; that many of these tenants must rely on paraffin oil to provide light and that this constitutes a serious fire hazard in these houses; and if he will take steps to have the position remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cavan Prefabricated Houses.
122.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 68 of 1st July, 1971, on the subject. Since then I understand that the county council have connected nine dwellings to the supply mains; that they are considering quotations for connecting 28 more; and that they are awaiting or seeking quotations for a further 43 dwellings.
I have no information as to the type of lighting used by tenants of dwellings which have not yet been connected to the electricity mains. I understand that the fire officer's views on the fire safety aspect of these dwellings were obtained by the council before they were purchased.
(Cavan): I have not the Parliamentary Secretary's previous reply before me, but I will check on whether to know that Cavan County Council did, as a result of representations made by me, agree to instal electric light in the mountable or prefabricated houses several months ago? Is he further aware that since then they have changed their policy and they have written to me within the last few weeks saying that they have decided to discontinue the installation of electric light in these houses? I take it the Parliamentary Secretary will agree with me that this is a retrograde step——
It is a step taken by the Deputy's own local authority.
(Cavan): Exactly.
This is not the information we have in the Department.
(Cavan): When did the Parliamentary Secretary get that information, if it is in order to ask?
There is no indication when this was supplied.
(Cavan): I venture to suggest the Parliamentary Secretary is relying on the information he got when I put down the question last. I want to draw to his attention the fact that the position seems to have changed since then. They have changed their policy and their decision. I quite concede that it is a decision of my local authority, of which I am not a member, but I want to ask the assistance of the Parliamentary Secretary and his Minister——
I will ensure that this information is correct and let the Deputy know.
(Cavan): I want to say that if there is a fatality in these houses for elderly people which are specifically built of wooden materials, which I hope there will not be, my conscience is clear by having put on the records of this House that I think it an absolute disgrace that these people are given houses without light in the year 1971.
The Deputy has got the best information available to me, but I will check on whether what the Deputy has now said is correct because I agree that it is a problem in prefabricated houses.