asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the destruction of residential areas in Dublin due to the over-tenanting of private residences and that the housing by-laws enacted by the corporation in this regard are not being fully enforced; if so, the steps he proposes to take, as a matter of urgency, to avoid the creation of vast slums in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Private Residence Over-Tenanting.
420.
I am not so aware. The question of over-tenanting of private residences is primarily a matter for the local authority who have wide powers under the Housing Acts, 1966 and 1969, and the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976, to deal with the matter. The by-laws referred to by the Deputy do not include any provisions regarding overcrowding but relate mainly to the standards of the structure and the provision of adequate services. The enforcement of these by-laws is also primarily a matter for the local authority. The adequacy of the existing measures for dealing with the general problems mentioned by the Deputy is kept under review by my Department.