asked the Minister for Local Government to state if he will send an engineering inspector from his Department to inspect and report on the condition of all the vested cottages in the South Cork health area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Vested Cottages.
Mr. Murphy
The Labourers Act, 1936, requires owners of vested cottages to keep them in good sanitary condition and repair and gives the local authority certain powers to repair in the event of default by the owner. The Minister's functions in this respect under the Act are invoked only in the case of appeal by the owner against a notice to repair served on him by the local authority. I am, however, very interested in ensuring that all houses, whether in public or private ownership, are kept in good habitable condition, and if the Deputy is aware of any vested cottages not being properly maintained I will be prepared to take the matter up with the local authority on receipt of particulars.