asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that two cottages in the Crosshaven district were let some months ago to Bartholomew Lane and Michael Jeffers, respectively, by the South Cork Board of Health, and if he can explain the delay in his Department in sanctioning the tenancy of the said Bartholomew Lane and Michael Jeffers, seeing that both are desirable tenants and both are in need of housing accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenants of County Cork Cottages.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have refused to sanction the appointment as tenants of the persons selected by the board as I am not satisfied that the applicants in most urgent need of housing accommodation have been chosen. I referred the board on the 21st instant to the statutory provisions which must be complied with in the letting of cottages for which subsidy is being claimed under the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932.
Arising out of the reply, is the Minister aware that Bartholomew Lane, one of the applicants, a married sister, her father-in-law and her children are all sleeping in a small bedroom, and does he consider that a proper or desirable condition of affairs to continue?
I have examined the particulars in the case of the tenancies referred to, and I am satisfied, from the information put in front of me, that the applicants referred to are not in as great need as other applicants in the same area.
Will the Minister say if the Deputy's statement is correct?
Are we to take it that there are worse cases of persons residing in rooms than those mentioned by Deputy Burke?
There are worse cases.