asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that many people occupying labourers' cottages in the County of Wexford have repeatedly within the last few years reported that their cottages are in need of repair, and that in many cases no notice has been taken of their representations by the board of health, and no repairs have been carried out; and, if so, if he will cause inquiry to be made into the cause of this neglect, and have immediate steps taken to have the necessary repairs carried out at once and thereby prevent these cottages falling into a state of very serious disrepair.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Labourers' Cottages.
The reply is in the negative. I have no further information in regard to this matter than is contained in the reply given to the Deputy on the 8th November last.
Week after week, I have some of these cottage tenants coming to me and telling me that their cottages are in a very bad state. Surely, it is not fair to ask these unfortunate people to pay rent for cottages in such a state. It is not fair either to the ratepayers to have the cottages in that state because, ultimately, £30,000 or £40,000 will have to be spent in repairs.
When I replied to the Deputy last November, I pointed out that the board had received no complaints from these tenants. Cottages to the number of 350 have been repaired at a cost of over £5,000. Although no complaints have come to our notice, I have communicated with the board and asked them to give me the information required.
Will the Minister send down an inspector to see these cottages?
I think that that was done before.
If there were no cause for complaint, I should not be raising the matter.