asked the Minister for Local Government the number of appeals lodged by tenants of Meath County Council against the condition of their cottages on vesting, the number of such cottages inspected by engineers from his Department, the number still to be inspected, and what action is taken to ensure that the Department's instructions on such appeals are complied with.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Cottage Tenants' Appeals.
70.
The number of valid appeals under Section 18 of the Labourers Act, 1936, which were received in my Department from County Meath in the current financial year is 108. 57 of these have been inspected. Enquiries are proceeding in respect of the balance of 51 cottages and inspections will be made where necessary.
Responsibility for the carrying out of the works which I determine to be necessary rests with the housing authority.
Will the Minister not agree it is a stupid arrangement that when the Minister's officials decide that repairs are needed to a cottage, and when the repairs are carried out, it is the local authority's engineer who examines the house to see if the repairs are satisfactory, and he is the representative of the local authority who said originally that the house needed no repair?
I will not agree and I will not go so far as to say that it is a stupid arrangement, but I will go so far as to say that if the actual situation is as the Deputy has outlined—and I have reason to believe it may be—I shall take another look at it in the near future.
The Minister may take my word that it is.
That is absolutely right.