(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that it is the policy of Cavan County Council not to install electricity in some non-vested cottages in the county; if he will authorise the council to provide electricity for these cottages without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan County Council Cottages.
17.
I am aware that it is the policy of all housing authorities, including Cavan County Council, to provide all essential services, including electricity, in new dwellings provided by them; that exceptional circumstances arise in some cases where the cost of installation of electricity service is abnormally high; that it is the practice of the council in such cases to seek special approval from me to the provision of the service; that any such submissions are considered by me as sympathetically as possible; and that all such proposals submitted to me by Cavan County Council to date have been approved by me.
With regard to existing nonvested cottages, it is open to the council to apply to me for improvement grants under section 24 of the Housing Act, 1966, to assist in the financing of the installation of electricity in a cottage. No such applications are before me at present from the council.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that Cavan County Council own many buildings—some old, admittedly, but some new—which are constructed of wood and inhabited by old people, and which are not serviced by electricity and that the council state that they must get the consent of the Minister if the cost of installing electricity exceeds £500? Will the Minister agree that those houses must be in breach of fire regulations and that they are in potential danger of fire? Will he get a grip on the matter through his fire-fighting department and see to it that these houses are properly serviced with electricity?
As I have told the Deputy, no application from Cavan County Council has been refused by me. With regard to existing houses—for instance, existing non-vested cottages—they can apply for the improvement grant in order to have the supply provided.
(Cavan-Monaghan): How many applications from Cavan County Council are before the Minister at the moment?
With regard to the improvement grants, no such application is before me at present with regard to Cavan County Council.
(Cavan-Monaghan): No, with regard to permission to service these houses with electricity.
All such proposals submitted to me by Cavan County Council to date have been approved by me, and there are none to date. "To date" would be in the last few days.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Are any pending?
No.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I suggest that it is the Minister's duty to see to it that old people are not housed in wooden buildings some of which are served only by open fires and paraffin oil.
Surely Cavan County Council have a duty here. They make the application.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister has a duty, too.