asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that grave dissatisfaction exists amongst the tenants of labourers' cottages recently erected at Cooldrinagh, Lucan, County Dublin, because of the absence of privacy and the location of sanitary conveniences adjacent to the houses; whether he is aware that there is only one door in each house, and that due to the method of construction the door gives a clear view from one house into another; whether the nearest water supply is located over a mile from these cottages, and whether he will state if the plans for these cottages were approved by him; and, if so, whether he will now indicate what steps will be taken to remedy the grievances complained of by the tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Labourers' Cottages.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The plans for the cottages in question have received my approval. They are similar to those adopted by the board of health in previous schemes which were found satisfactory. I understand that difficulties were experienced in securing a proper water supply for the cottages, but the erection of a pump on the site has now been completed and the water is at present under analysis.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the County Dublin Board of Health proposes erecting 22 labourers' cottages at Saggart, County Dublin; whether it is a fact that the site acquired for the purpose comprises only seven acres, and whether he will insist that any scheme approved for this district will provide that not less than a half-acre of land will be attached to each cottage.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Dublin Board of Public Health submitted a Compulsory Purchase Order for the acquisition, inter alia, of 7 acres I rood 5 perches for the erection of 22 cottages in Saggart, and I have confirmed the Order. I have no power to increase the area of land proposed to be acquired compulsorily by a local authority under the Labourers Acts.
The Acts empower local authorities to allot a plot or garden not exceeding one statute acre to each cottage, and within this limit the matter is one entirely within their discretion.