asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that the local medical officer of health has condemned over 160 houses as being unfit for human habitation in the Tullamore Urban Council area; whether he is aware that the Council referred to have secured a suitable site for the erection of working-class houses; whether he received (at his own request) a detailed statement from the Council dated June 4th, 1928, requesting him to provide certain reasonable financial facilities for the erection of houses which are urgently needed, and if he can now indicate in detail what further facilities, if any, he is prepared to give in order to enable this Council to carry out its proposed housing programme.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TULLAMORE HOUSING SITE.
I am aware of the housing position in the Tullamore Urban District. The Council may be in a position to take some advantage of the provisions of the Housing Bill, 1928, which is at present passing through the Oireachtas, but I am not now in a position to state what, if any, further help the Council may receive to carry out any housing programme.
Will the Minister say whether it is his intention or the intention of the Ministry to provide long-term loans within the lifetime of the present Ministry or will he say whether long-term loans will be provided within six months or within twelve months.
I am not in a position to make any statements on the matter now.
Will the Minister give an answer to Tullamore Urban Council regarding the request submitted by the council at his own request?
Is the Minister aware that a considerable time ago he gave me an assurance that this question of long-term loans was under consideration by his Department? In view of the urgent necessity of long-term loans for workers' dwellings, would the Minister see that this matter is expedited?
What about the President's promise—September, 1927?
The question of housing is not without being very fully and carefully considered by the Executive Council, but I am not now in a position to say what is going to be done in the matter.