asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received proposals in connection with the erection of houses in Mallow town and, if so, if he will issue sanction as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mallow Housing.
Proposals for the erection of 84 houses in Mallow were submitted by the urban district council on the 18th November last. All but 16 of them were based on a design in considerable excess of the normal size of local authority houses. The number of houses proposed appears to have been based on applications received but no survey of the actual housing needs, numbers in families, etc., had been made. The council were asked on the 13th December last to carry out a proper survey of the circumstances of the applicants and to submit proposals based thereon. Suggested revisions to the house plans and the lay-out plan were also conveyed. No reply has been received but it is understood that the survey has been undertaken and is nearing completion.
I can assure the Deputy that when I get proposals based on properly ascertained needs and conforming with designs which will accommodate the families eligible for rehousing without imposing an undue burden on them by way of rents, such proposals will be expeditiously and favourably considered.
I should like to add that the procedure which the local authority was requested to follow in this case represents the normal procedure which is designed to ensure that, where housing programmes are nearing completion, detailed investigations of the balance of housing needs should be made before deciding on the nature or extent of new schemes. I made a statement to this effect in Bandon on the 1st instant and complimented the Cork County Council for having already instituted such a practice in their area. In making that statement I had no purpose in mind other than to ensure reasonable compliance with these elementary requirements. There is no foundation whatsoever for any other interpretation of my remarks, particularly that of the Sunday Press which suggested that they indicated a “go-slow” policy on housing.