asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that great hardship is being caused to county council cottage dwellers in County Dublin by the refusal of the county commissioner to build additional rooms to such cottages; and, if so, whether he will direct the commissioner to provide such additional rooms so as to secure a partial easement of the housing situation so far as overcrowded houses are concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Cottages—Additional Rooms.
Mr. Murphy
I understand that tenants of some labourers' cottages in County Dublin have asked for additional rooms. While I have every sympathy with tenants of overcrowded cottages where the overcrowding is not due to subletting, I think the erection of new cottages for the many applicants who have no accommodation or who are living in insanitary dwellings has prior claim on the materials and labour available for building. I have no doubt that the local authority will consider the building of additional rooms in appropriate cases in due course.