asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the number of houses in course of erection in the town of Roscommon by the county council will be altogether inadequate to meet the acute demand for such houses; and, if so, whether he will undertake to have the housing position there re-examined with a view to having a further scheme started there as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Houses.
I am aware that the six houses recently completed and the 20 houses being built in the town of Roscommon will not fully satisfy the housing needs of the town.
The question of a further scheme to meet the balance of the housing needs is being taken up with the housing authority.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that there are 21 deserving applicants in the Crumlin area who want houses, and whether he will make arrangements with the local authorities to have sites acquired to provide houses as soon as possible.
I understand from the Dublin County Council that sites have been inspected with a view to formulating a further scheme which, it is hoped, will satisfy the housing needs of the Crumlin area.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the reasons for the delay in sanctioning the housing scheme for the Shannon area, Enniscorthy, in view of the fact that the local authority is anxious to have this work started as soon as possible in order to relieve unemployment in the town and to provide houses which are urgently needed in the area.
Approval to the proposal by Enniscorthy Urban District Council to acquire by agreement a site at Shannon, Enniscorthy, for housing purposes is dependent on the submission of a lay-out plan showing that the proposed site can be suitably and economically developed for a housing scheme. The proposals submitted up to the present are not considered suitable and have been the subject of consultation with the council's architect. I understand that a revised lay-out plan is at present in course of preparation and will be submitted for approval at an early date. On receipt of a suitable lay-out a decision in the matter will be conveyed to the council without delay.
The council have in their possession a site to accommodate approximately 100 houses, plans for which were approved in August, 1947, but up to date only 26 houses have been commenced. I would suggest, therefore, that the council should extend housing operations on that site with a view to increasing employment and accelerating activities to meet the housing needs of the town.
Since 1932 only 18 houses altogether have been built in this particular area. Survey after survey has been made and on numerous occasions letters have been sent down by the Department to the council but every time we are told that the plan is not right and that there must be another survey. There are chapels and schools in this area, so how is it that the Minister can sanction another scheme at the other end of the town which is outside the urban area? Simply because political influences are at work.
I would ask the Deputy to draw the attention of the local authority to the fact that they have sites for 100 houses. I would ask him to use his influence on them and the area for which plans are not available will be dealt with expeditiously. They have sites for houses and let them get on with them.
Is the Minister aware that someone in his Department is misleading Enniscorthy Urban Council? We are told to go to Dublin.
I can assure the Deputy that there is no difficulty, no hold-up, in Dublin. As the answer conveys, they are waiting for a suitable lay-out plan and while that is being discussed the local authority have sites for 100 houses at their disposal. Let them get on with them. There is no obstacle in their way.