Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1963

Vol. 206 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dangerous Buildings.

38.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Local Government if, having regard to the grave shortage of alternative accommodation for people dispossessed from dangerous buildings by the Dublin Corporation and to the inhumanity of rendering people homeless at Christmas time and in inclement wintry weather, he will have additional steps taken to temporarily shore-up, or otherwise prevent from collapse, all potentially dangerous buildings to enable them to be occupied until alternative accommodation becomes available; if he will have additional financial aid granted to the Dublin Corporation to enable them to execute such temporary protective works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The discharge by the Dublin Corporation of its functions under the dangerous buildings code must be governed primarily by consideration for the lives and safety of the occupants and the public. I understand that temporary shoring-up is carried out where this is feasible. Where it is necessary to displace persons from dangerous buildings the Corporation ensures that such persons obtain alternative accommodation, either temporarily or permanently.

Mr. Ryan

In view of the fact that there are now several hundreds of people actually homeless and that the supply of houses, as estimated, during the winter months, will not be sufficient to house these people who are about to be put out of dangerous buildings, would the Minister endeavour to encourage the Dublin Corporation, if necessary, by financial assistance, to shore-up, even temporarily, these houses until perhaps the summer of next year, by which time the housing supply situation might be better than it is now?

In all cases where shoring-up is a feasible proposition, it is being carried out. That is my information from Dublin Corporation and they do not seem to require any assistance or push from me to do that.

Mr. Ryan

Is the Minister aware that many independent architects and engineers are of opinion that many buildings could be saved, even temporarily, which the Dublin Corporation seem anxious to demolish, notwithstanding the hardship involved in that process?

I cannot comment on what may be the views of the independent people to whom the Deputy refers.

39.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the serious loss, hardship and inconvenience being caused to shopkeepers in many Dublin premises, in respect of which premises the Dublin Corporation have obtained dangerous building demolition orders down to shop level, by reason of delay on the part of the Corporation in commencing and completing demolition; if, having regard to the fact that such losses are being aggravated by excluding such shopkeepers from trading in their shops during the busy Christmas shopping season, notwithstanding assurances by the Corporation to the contrary, steps will be taken to permit trading in such premises until after Christmas and to expedite the completion of demolition works thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am not so aware. I am informed, however, that if the Deputy notifies the Corporation of any particular cases he may have in mind, the Corporation will examine the matter to see what can be done to facilitate the shopkeepers concerned.

Mr. Ryan

Would the Minister look into the case where a month ago solemn undertakings were given in court by the Corporation that demolition work would commence at once to permit the shopkeeper on the ground floor to reoccupy the premises at least two weeks ahead of Christmas to enable him to trade during the most profitable part of the trading year? Is he aware that notwithstanding those solemn assurances, the Corporation has failed to honour that undertaking and the premises have not yet been demolished in whole or in part? Is he further aware that a threat is now being issued this very day that the work will commence tomorrow, thereby compelling the shopkeeper in question to close down at the very time in respect of which the undertaking was given in court that he would be left open? Will the Minister take steps to see that this does not happen?

Without the details, it is rather difficult for me to give any such assurance. In addition, as I have suggested in reply to the question, it probably would be a saving of time if the Deputy were to approach the Corporation. Such approach, I am assured, would be well received and the Corporation will try to meet him on any of these cases he has raised.

Mr. Ryan

Will the Minister support me if I produce a file to him which will show I approached the Corporation several times in relation to this deplorable situation and received no satisfaction whatever?

If, having considered the contents of the file, I am as convinced as the Deputy is, I can assure him of my full support.

Mr. Ryan

I am grateful to the Minister. I shall give him the file.

Barr
Roinn