Vol. 203 No. 8
asked the Minister for Local Government if it is a fact that the Housing Committee of the Dublin Corporation have recently decided that, when families of four persons or under are evicted through no fault of their own, the Corporation will not take responsibility for rehousing them; and if he will institute an inquiry into the whole management of the rehousing situation in the city by this Committee to establish the reasons for this position.
56.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Mr. James Perry and Mrs. Japlin with their families were evicted from their home at 14 Leinster Road, Dublin; and that they were informed by the Housing Authority of Dublin Corporation that they would not accept any responsibility for rehousing them; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. The letting of housing accommodation provided under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, subject to compliance with the provisions of the Housing (Management and Lettings) Regulations, is a function of the housing authority concerned, in which I am not empowered to intervene. I understand, however, that it is not a fact that the Housing Committee of the Dublin Corporation made a decision on the lines indicated in question No. 55. The Committee's decision was to suspend the housing of three-person evicted families for a period of six months when the matter will again be reviewed.
Would the Minister not agree it is scandalous that a young family can be put out on the side of the road or sent to a mendicity institute because of the failure of the Housing Committee of the Corporation to meet the needs, the foreseeable needs, of these unfortunate people? Are there no steps the Minister can take to bring this failure to the attention of the Housing Committee?
Because of the fact that this resolution would appear to have been passed by the Housing Committee of the Corporation, it does not necessarily follow that any family affected, three or fewer in number, will not get a house. Neither is it a fact that this has happened in any cases I have heard of.
The Minister can be certain there are many families living in overcrowded conditions. I can give him the names and addresses of many of my constituents. Does not the Minister appreciate that while all around us we see luxury hotels and luxury garages being put up——
The Deputy is indulging in argument and he must cease. Question No. 57.
