andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Local Government if a clause was inserted in the contract between the National Building Agency and the Cubitt-Haden-Sisk Building Consortium imposing a fine for failure to hand over a specific number of housing units at Ballymun, Dublin in a particular time; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun Housing Scheme.
21.
The four year contract provided for completion of 3,021 dwellings by 14th February, 1969, subject to penalty and to normal provisions for extensions. Provision was also made in the contract to enable a programme of partial stage completion to be agreed, with related damages.
Is the Minister implying that there is a penalty if a certain number of houses are not handed over within a specified time? Is the Minister stating that the time has not been exceeded?
In certain circumstances, that would be the outcome of what I said.
Is the Minister satisfied that what he describes as "certain circumstances" have arisen and if so, what are they?
The information which the Deputy requires would not at this juncture be in the interests of the housing scheme at Ballymun. I would ask him to accept that as a genuine reason why I do not want to answer his question directly.
I could possibly accept that in normal circumstances but surely the Minister will appreciate that members of Dublin Corporation are under tremendous pressure from people who have no homes, and in view of the fact that this type of building which is now going on at Ballymun was accepted solely because it was stated that it would be quicker and the only way to meet the crisis that presented itself in Dublin in 1963——
The Deputy is making a long statement, not asking a question.
The Deputy is trying to find out why the Minister is evading the issue.
The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question. This is Question Time.
Evasion time.
There are over 100 questions on the Order Paper.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is justification for the delay of eight months?
In so far as the output of houses is concerned, the Minister is not satisfied, was never satisfied and I doubt if he will ever be satisfied with this or any other scheme.
Not half as dissatisfied as people without homes.
22.
andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Local Government if copies of the contract between the National Building Agency and the Cubitt-Haden-Sisk Building Consortium will be laid before the Dáil.
The answer is "No".
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government (1) the number of houses in the Ballymun scheme which have been completed by (a) January (b) February and (c) March, 1966; (2) the number of houses which have been made available to Dublin Corporation; and (3) the rents which have been decided upon for these houses.
Houses in this scheme are not being certified as complete for the purposes of occupation until, as agreed with the Housing Committee of Dublin Corporation following their inspection of progress on 28th February, site conditions can more reasonably serve the safety and convenience of tenants. The programme of development and manufacture is otherwise proceeding at a satisfactory rate.
I understand that the new interim differential rent scheme, which was brought into operation by the corporation from 28th February, 1966, will apply to lettings at Ballymun. The rents scheme in question provides that, where additional work or services are provided for tenants, a charge may be made therefor, but I understand that a final decision has not yet been made as to what effect, if any, this provision will have in relation to lettings at Ballymun.
Would the Minister not agree that the same difficulties, which he apparently accepts with regard to the condition of the site at Ballymun, confront any other traditional builder, for example, builders who have undertaken contract work in Edenderry and Coolock?
This is not a question; it is an argument.
I cannot agree or disagree, for the reason that no two sites are comparable.
Question No. 24.
Could the Minister elaborate on what he considers the difficulties in Ballymun, as compared with any other site?
The Deputy and his colleagues in Dublin Corporation and his Housing Committee are as well aware of those difficulties as I am and indeed as competent, if not more competent, to judge the relevance of such difficulties.
We do not as readily accept them.
The Deputy is in the happy position that he does not have either to accept or reject them.