asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received proposals from Laois County Council or Portlaoise Town Commissioners seeking sanction for the outlay for improving the O'Moore Place housing scheme in Portlaoise; and, if not, if he will make a statement on the delay in their submission in view of his letter of 6th July last to a representative of the tenants of the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoise Housing Scheme.
26.
I have not received any proposals from Laois County Council or Portlaoise Town Commissioners seeking sanction for the outlay for improving the O'Moore Place housing scheme in Portlaoise. I understand, however, that Laois County Council will shortly be in a position to submit firm proposals in this regard.
As the management of their housing estate is a matter entirely for the housing authority, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on why proposals have not yet been submitted to my Department.
The Minister has not referred to the second part of my question which concerned his letter of the 6th July to a representative of the tenants and in which he indicated that he expected proposals within a short time from the local authority.
I am not aware of what the Deputy is talking about. Perhaps he would read out what he is referring to.
I have already given it to the Minister in the question. I have asked if he will make a statement on the delay in their submission in view of his letter of 6th July last to a representative of the tenants of the scheme.
I am not aware of the letter. I am sorry I have not got any information about it and I have given Deputy Lalor the full information. Of course, Deputy Lalor must be aware that, as far as any scheme is concerned, if it is considered the scheme should be carried out it can only be done if the local authority decide to do so. I cannot, no matter how anxious I might be, have the scheme carried out before its time.
In view of the fact that notice was given in the question ten days ago it is strange that there is no reference in the Minister's brief to his own letter which he signed himself.
The letter I signed myself simply stated that I hoped the repairs would be carried out. I did not say I was going to carry out the repairs.
That is not what the letter said. It is obvious the Minister has not got a copy of the letter because the letter said he had been in contact with the Laois local authority and that he expected proposals from the local authority within a short time.
May I read the letter? I wrote to a Mrs. Flynn on 6th July of O'Moore Place Residents Association: "Further to your recent telegram and letter regarding the proposed improvement to houses in O'Moore Park I have looked into this matter and find no proposals for approval to a loan for improvement has yet been received by my Department. My Department has contacted Laois County Council and has been informed that, while proposals in this regard have not yet been finalised, it is hoped such proposals will be forthcoming shortly." In view of the fact that the proposals have not yet come I feel Deputy Lalor apparently stepped off a little bit too fast. He should have looked at the ground before he walked on it.
I asked this question as the Parliamentary Secretary recommended I should put it down.
Did he? If Deputy Lalor takes all his instructions from the Parliamentary Secretary he will not go far wrong.
He will not make much progress either.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.