asked the Minister for Local Government whether his attention has been drawn to a recent advertisement in a country newspaper in which the Arklow Urban District Council offered building sites for sale by public auction; and, if so, whether he will state by whom they were purchased and the price paid; further, if he will indicate whether these sites were first offered to deserving local residents before they were advertised; and, finally, if he approves of this practice by local authorities in view of the present acute housing problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Building Sites.
Proposals have been received in the Department in regard to the leasing of sites at the North Beach, Arklow, for building purposes. The matter is being examined and in considering the question of the disposal of the sites regard will be had to the desirability of leasing them to persons wishing to avail of the provisions of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1948.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that this property was advertised for sale by public auction? Has it been sold?
It has been advertised.
Has it been sold?
Yes; there were two sites sold.
To whom have they been sold?
Residents of Arklow.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary approve of that, or will he issue orders to local councils and other authorities that they are not to dispose of land suitable for building sites until the acute housing shortage has been provided for?
I will not give a definite assurance in that connection, but, as far as possible, sites such as those in Arklow will be made available and residents in the locality will get preference.