asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will state if a survey has been carried out recently in County Wexford for the purpose of ascertaining the number of houses required in the urban and rural districts of Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Wexford; if he will state the number of houses required in each district, distinguishing between rural and urban; and further, what progress is being made towards providing the houses required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Housing Requirements.
Mr. Corish
A housing survey has been carried out in County Wexford. I shall, with the Ceann Comhairle's permission, circulate a statement with the Official Report showing the results of the survey and the progress made towards the provision of houses.
Statement of the results of the housing survey in County Wexford and of the progress made towards the provision of houses.
The number of houses required for each area in County Wexford has been reported as follows:—
|
Rural |
Towns |
|
|
Enniscorthy |
159 |
250 |
|
Gorey |
96 |
90 |
|
New Ross |
183 |
235 |
|
Wexford |
176 |
872 |
As regards the progress being made towards providing the houses required, the present position is as follows:
Enniscorthy Urban District: An Order for the compulsory acquisition of 19¼ acres of land at Bellefield was confirmed without modification in April, 1947, and revised layout and house plans together with specifications for the erection of 103 houses were approved on 30th August last. It is understood that the quantity surveyor is now engaged in drawing the bills of quantities and that advertisements for tenders will be published next month.
Gorey Town: Lay-out and house plans for the erection of 36 houses have been approved. It is understood that the preparation of the bills of quantities is at present in progress and when this has been completed tenders will be invited.
New Ross Urban District: Only one tender was received in response to an advertisement published in December, 1946, for the erection of 49 houses at Charleton Hill. This was not in accordance with the specification and could not be accepted. On the suggestion of the council the county manager interviewed local contractors but only one tender was received. This also was rejected on the recommendation of the architect who at the same time advised the council as to the desirability of having bills of quantities prepared with a view to securing competitive tenders. It is understood the bills of quantities are now being drawn.
Wexford Borough: A scheme for the erection of 16 houses on the corporation's site at Slippery Green is at present in progress. The corporation recently advertised a contract for the erection of a further 74 houses on the same site but no tenders were received. Bills of quantities are, it is understood, now nearly completed and it is anticipated that tenders will be invited early in January.
Rural Areas: In the rural areas of Wexford County plans for two types of cottage have been approved. Tenders for the erection of 68 cottages have been advertised but so far it has only been found possible to arrange for the erection of 39. They are distributed in the following rural areas:
|
Enniscorthy |
14 |
|
Gorey |
2 |
|
New Ross |
21 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
Sites for the erection of a further 224 cottages in rural areas are already in possession of the council.