asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that due to the refusal of his Department to sanction the additional cost involved in the erection of houses built entirely of brick, there is a likelihood that the local brickworks at Waterford will be closed down at an early date; and whether in the circumstances he is in a position to indicate the difficulties which have led to this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brick in House Building.
It is presumed that the Deputy's question relates to the building of 53 houses by the Waterford Corporation at Slievekeale and Yellow Road.
My Department has not refused to sanction the additional cost involved by the use of brick in the erection of these houses. I have pointed out to the Corporation on the 7th October that their proposal to erect the external walls in brick as against concrete blocks would entail an extra cost of £1,414, a sum sufficient to build an additional five houses. As a result of further representations made by the Corporation, I informed them on the 6th ultimo that I would not interfere further with their proposal but the annual loan charges on the extra cost involved must be borne by the city ratepayers. I am not aware that as a result of my action the local brickworks are likely to close down.