asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state why arrangements have been made whereby Department inspectors are instructing the County Dublin medical officer of health as to the type of people to be granted council cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin County Council Cottages.
Following the receipt of a large number of complaints regarding lettings in Dublin County, officers of my Department made inquiries some time ago in the offices of the county council and pointed out that certain classes of persons to whom lettings were made or proposed to be made were not legally qualified therefor under the Labourers Acts.
I should like to point out that the functions of the medical officer as regards the letting of cottages are confined to the submission of a report on the existing housing accommodation of each applicant and as to the degree of urgency of his need for alternative accommodation. The actual lettings are made by the county manager and my Department has a supervisory responsibility in the matter in connection with the financing of the scheme.
Is the Minister aware that serving soldiers in Baldonnel and Gormanston, some of whom are about to retire, have been turned down by the county manager? It has been intimated to them that they are not eligible for houses. Who will give these people houses? Is the Minister's Department instructing the county manager that soldiers who are about to retire from the Army and who cannot procure houses at either Baldonnel or Gormanston are to patrol the roads with their wives and families? I cannot deal with this subject by means of a supplementary question and, with the permission of the Chair, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.