asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports that the output of local authority housing has slowed down; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Housing.
75.
I have seen a report in an evening paper of the 28th November, 1974, that, according to the Construction Industry Federation, —I quote—"the Government's plan to build 7,250 council houses as part of their 25,000 housing target this year is in serious trouble". If such a statement, with which I strongly disagree, was made by the federation, they should not have made it without finding out the facts. While completions to 30th September, 1974, amounted to only 2,031, the very high level of work in progress throughout the year, rising from 9,478 at end of December, 1973, to 12,438 at 30th September, 1974, should ensure that the target of 7,250 completions for the 12 months to the 31st March, 1975, will be met. I might add that a review of probable completions which I have made with local authorities suggests that the figure of 7,250 will be exceeded.
I shall take this question on a narrow basis and refer only to the County Borough of Dublin. From the official figures we know that only 404 houses have been completed in the Dublin County Borough in the first two quarters of the year. Assuming that the rate would be the same for the remainder of the year, the total figure would be much below that for last year.
In relation to Dublin County Borough the total estimated output to the 31st December, 1974, is 1,000 and a total of 1,500 up to 31st March, 1975. However, we shall have to wait until the end of March to see which of us is correct. I believe I am correct.
But the Minister is not sure.
I am sure.
The Minister referred to completion of local authority houses for the first six months of the year as being as low as 2,031. He prefaced the figure by the word "only" which would indicate that he is disappointed with it. Can he give any explanation for this low figure?
I can only give the explanation that the county managers have given me. Their reply in regard to the output up to 30th September was (a) shortage of some materials in the earlier part of the year, (b) shortage of skilled labour, (c) bad weather during the summer months and (d) the number of single contractors engaged on more than one scheme. They assured me that the figures I have given to Deputy Moore will be reached at the end of the 12-month period, that is, up to the 31st March. I expect that it will be exceeded.
I hope the Minister is correct.
Next question, please.
One supplementary— on what is the Minister basing his hope that the target of 7,250 houses will be achieved, bearing in mind that this will require completions in the second six months of the year to the extent of double the number completed in the first six months?
The county managers tell us that they have houses in the course of completion which will result in the output indicated. They are convinced that the projected figures they have given are correct and I expect that their figure of 7,250 will be exceeded. That is something that we cannot prove here this evening.
Beware the Ides of March.
Question No. 76, please.
There is a good answer that I could give to the Deputy's remark but I shall not do so.