asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the many difficulties local authorities have to contend with in their efforts to build houses for the citizens; and, if so, if he will consider favourably the need for the appointment of a Minister for Housing who will have no duties other than the housing of the people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Minister for Housing.
I am aware that local authorities meet difficulties from time to time in connection with the acquisition and development of sites for housing schemes and the planning, financing and execution of such schemes. I am also aware that the Minister for Local Government maintains close contact with the housing authorities and that he and his officers are available to give every possible advice and assistance in the solution of such difficulties.
The appointment of a separate Minister for Housing, who would have no duties other than the housing of the people, would not help towards the solution of these difficulties; in fact, it would create new and unnecessary difficulties. I would remind the Deputy that, since the appointment of a separate Minister for Local Government in January, 1947, housing is the principal service for which that Minister is responsible. Services ancillary to housing, such as town planning, road construction and sanitary services, are also provided through the Department of Local Government and the local authorities, and the co-ordination of these services with the main service of housing is thus assured. If a separate Minister for Housing were appointed, the administrative and technical organisation which deals with housing and with the ancillary services would be divided, and the co-ordination which is so essential to the successful solution of the housing problem would be difficult to secure. I am satisfied, therefore, that the present system, by which the same Minister is responsible for both the housing service and the ancillary services, should remain unchanged.
Mr. Byrne
The Parliamentary Secretary has intimated that if a separate Minister were appointed, interest would be divided and delays would follow, but is it not due to the divided interests of the Minister for Local Government that delays have occurred which are preventing the building of houses, delaying the issue of plans and arranging for money? Owing to these things the building of houses has been considerably reduced in Dublin within the last 12 months. I would suggest to the Parliamentary Secretary that if a separate Minister were appointed his interests would not be divided in any way.
It is agreed that the Minister for Local Government is not responsible for those delays.