Vol. 270 No. 5
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to ensure the immediate repair of all houses at Corrib Park, Galway damaged during recent storms; and if he will indicate the arrangements that are being made to compensate tenants for damage to personal property.
445.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a request from Corrib Park Tenants' Association to hold a public inquiry into the cause of the extensive damage to Corrib Park House, Galway during the recent stormy weather.
446.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that the required specifications were complied with in the construction of local authority houses at Corrib Park, Galway.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 444, 445 and 446 together.
The Deputy will be aware that these houses were provided under the guaranteed order project—the "low-cost" housing project initiated by him when he was Minister. On the 28th January last when I heard reports of storm damage to this scheme I asked for an urgent report from the National Building Agency, who had the houses built on behalf of Galway Corporation.
I received a telegram on 29th January, 1974, from the Corrib Park Residents' Association asking that the housing estate be declared an emergency area and requesting a meeting with me. I had, by then, already received a preliminary report on the storm damage from the agency. I understand that, on the 27th January, 1974, winds of between 90 and 103 miles per hour were recorded over a period of two to three hours, and that extensive stripping of roof tiles was caused throughout the scheme.
The necessary repair work was put in hands by the contractors immediately the weather abated sufficiently, and all repair work to the roofs had been completed by them, without cost to Galway Corporation or to the tenants, by the 2nd February, 1974.
At my request, representatives of the agency met the chairman of the residents association who was informed that priority had been given by the agency to getting the damaged roofs repaired and that a detailed house to house survey was being put in hands to deal with any consequential damage which might have occurred as a result of the storm.
About claims for damage to personal property, I understand that some of the falling tiles caused damage to a small number of parked cars. These claims are being examined by the agency.
I am informed by the agency that the builder complied with the contract specification in the construction of the houses.
