(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment the policy of his Department regarding the sanction of the cost of installing electric light in houses, known as prefabs, provided for old persons by local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Installation Costs.
19.
I am prepared to approve the charging, to the appropriate loan, of a reasonable cost of providing a supply of electricity to special prefabricated dwellings provided by local authorities for elderly persons. Where the cost is exceptionally high, it is usual for the authority to seek a specific approval. Any such exceptional case made is considered by me as sympathetically as possible. In general, authorities are encouraged to site these special dwellings so that all essential services can be provided at a reasonable cost.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that his Department have frequently refused to sanction the installation of electric light in these wooden buildings on the grounds that the cost would be exces-sive? Is he also aware that many of these prefabricated wooden buildings which have been provided for elderly people have been left without electric light and that these elderly people in these wooden buildings are forced to rely on an open flame, such as candles or oil lamps, and does he agree these are positively dangerous and that the practice should be stopped immediately?
I am very concerned about this matter. Cases have arisen where the cost of electricity installation is exceptionally high and authorities normally seek approval for the higher charges. Sanction is usually given, although in certain cases an authority may be requested to reconsider the provision of dwelling units on particular sites because of the high cost of services due to the location of the site.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that many of these buildings have been provided throughout the country, that old people are living in them, that electric light has not been installed and that this would appear to be in violation of the very regulations provided by the local authorities for safety from fire?
Not many cases, perhaps some.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister send out a circular, which he is good at, to local authorities asking them how many of these wooden prefabricated buildings are without electric light?
I am willing to carry out further investigations. Different counties have different systems.
(Cavan-Monaghan): As the Minister in charge of fire precautions, is he not alarmed to learn that a public authority in this day and age provide even one home for an old person which consists of a wooden building and refuse to install electric light in that building?
What figure has the Minister in mind within which local authorities may work?
It is amazing the way it varies from county to county. For ex-ample, in Kerry it is £250, in Galway and Donegal the agreed limit is £600 and in Cavan the figure is £550.
Does the Minister not agree that local authorities who are providing demountables, as they are called in Donegal, should be obliged to provide electricity services in the same way that water and sewerage services are provided. There are, as Deputy Fitzpatrick said, an alarming number of these buildings occupied by people who are at greatest risk, using candles, oil lamps and gas appliances?
The position is that many demountables are erected in emergency situations in isolated rural areas where it would take a long time to install electricity and where the cost would be extraordinarily high. On the other hand, I can see the dangers involved in the use of these units. I will certainly look at this matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that neither water nor sewerage is provided in these buildings, which makes the situa-tion worse? If water was provided the situation would not be as bad.
That does not arise, Deputy.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister agree that neither water nor sewerage is provided in a great number of these buildings?
The same situation applies in relation to many rural houses.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister not ashamed to be presiding over a Depart-ment which provides houses for old people without electric light, water or sewerage?