asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement on the fact that Ireland has a higher proportion of old houses than most countries in Europe; if it is correct that about 25 per cent of this country's houses are over 100 years old and, if so, if he considers that this is a satisfactory position.
Written Answers. - Old Houses.
67.
The figure of 25 per cent mentioned in the question relates to the situation as revealed by the census of population taken in 1961. The corresponding figure at the present time is estimated to be about 14 per cent of the total housing stock and the percentage should continue to fall as the housing drive continues to expand. The fact that we have a sizeable proportion of old houses in our stock is not necessarily indicative of overall housing conditions, particularly as we have had reconstruction and improvement grant schemes in operation for about 40 years which have been used extensively to conserve and improve older houses.