asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that 14 houses in Ballard, Tullamore, County Offaly, have no sewerage or water connections and that the sanitary arrangements are most injurious to the public health of the area; and, if, in view of the fact that there are large families in some of the houses concerned, he will state what steps he proposes to take to protect the health of the people in the area, and to improve the sanitary arrangements, and if he will have an early inspection carried out by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sewerage and Water Connections for County Offaly Houses.
There are no proposals on this matter before my Department.
Surely the Minister for Local Government has some responsibility in view of the fact that the local authority in this case has neglected the presentation of proposals to his Department in regard to it. In view of the special circumstances which surround this case, will the Minister undertake to have an officer in the Department of Local Government sent to inspect the conditions which obtain in Ballard, Tullamore, so that the local authority may be prompted to take immediate action to relieve the distress of the people there?
There are no proposals in regard to this matter before the Department. It is one for the county council.
Surely, the Minister has some responsibility.