Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

John McGuinness

Question:

267 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress, if any, being made in relation to providing proper local authority housing accommodation in Graiguecullen, Carlow, for a person (details supplied) whose house which is owned by the Office of Public Works suffers regular flooding; if the water will be diverted over a weir rather than through the old mill which may prevent future flooding of his house; and if her Department will renovate the existing house as a solution. [11614/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

I refer the Deputy to my replies to his previous Parliamentary Questions Nos. 151, 260 and 169 on 3, 9 and 10 Feabhra 1999 respectively regarding this matter. I am given to understand that the person concerned has applied to the local authority for alternative housing accommodation and, if he wishes my Department to support the application, it will be glad to do so.

In relation to flooding in this area, I should point out that the old mill is not under the control of my Department and it is not possible, therefore, to close off the water supply to it.

It should be noted that my Department has co-operated with the occupants in making the house reasonably comfortable for the present and, as renovation of the house would not prevent the possibility of future flooding, my Department has no plans in this regard. As I stated previously, the Office of Public Works is considering a number of options for flood alleviation in the Carlow area and the impact of any proposed flood relief scheme on canal property will be assessed in due course.