asked the Minister for Local Government the number of houses completed by Waterford Corporation in the years 1970-71 and 1971-72.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Housing.
123.
Waterford Corporation provided 100 sites for private houses during the financial years 1970-71 and 1971-72, but did not complete work on any of their dwellings in that period.
During the previous five financial years the corporation provided 509 dwellings. A further scheme of 160 houses was commenced towards the end of 1971-72 and is expected to be completed by next March. Two more schemes, comprising 142 houses, are to be provided by the corporation under the guaranteed order project and it is hoped that work on them will be started in the near future.
The Minister will not get away with trying to cover up the situation in Waterford city. Is he not aware that in the years 1970-71 and 1971-72, Waterford Corporation did not complete as much as one house in the county borough and that as a result of this there are more than 500 people on the priority list for houses? This is a disgraceful feature of the Department's attitude to schemes of houses proposed by corporations.
I have given the position in respect of the housing programme being undertaken now by Waterford Corporation. The programme is fairly substantial and their record during the five years mentioned of more than 100 houses on average per year is not bad. The situation in Waterford is being kept under review and the Department will give serious consideration to any proposals put forward by the local authority.
It has taken the Department four years to consider the last proposals.
That is not true.
124.
asked the Minister for Local Government the reasons for the delay in completing the compulsory acquisition order of Waterford County Council in relation to lands for house building purposes at Kilmacthomas, County Waterford.
Consideration of this order was deferred for some considerable time at the request of the local authority as negotiations with the landowner concerned were taking place. As no progress towards agreement was reached, a public local inquiry was held in October, 1971, and the order is at present under consideration in my Department. I hope to convey my decision thereon in the near future.