asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the grave housing shortage in Mountmellick where many applicants have been awaiting the erection of houses for some time; if, in view of the present industrial expansion of the town, he will give his approval so that tenders can be invited for the erection of ten houses immediately where sites are available and already approved by his Department; and if he will then give approval in principle for the erection of a further 20 houses in the town as a matter of urgency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mountmellick (Laois) Housing Needs.
55.
I understand from the housing authority that a survey of housing need in Mountmellick in July last established that there were some 22 families in the area in need of rehousing. A proposal to provide ten houses at Davin Park was received in my Department on 12th January, 1967 and is under examination. It will be dealt with as quickly as possible. It is open to the Council to formulate proposals for such further houses as they consider necessary and my approval in principle to this step is not required. I understand that the county council are at present seeking a site for a further scheme.
56.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give his approval to the draft plans submitted by Laois County Council for the erection of three houses in Errill, County Laois; and if he will treat this proposal as one of special urgency.
Sketch plans for this scheme were received in my Department two days ago. They are at present being examined and a decision on them will be conveyed to the housing authority as soon as possible.
57.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the grave housing shortage in Rosenallis, County Laois; and if he will now give his approval to have tenders invited so that four houses can be immediately erected, as there are over ten families in the parish in urgent need of rehousing.
I understand from the housing authority that there are six applicants for rehousing in the area, two of whom are small farmers. A four-house scheme to meet the needs of the village was approved by me on 26th ultimo, and the council were told then that they could invite tenders.
58.
asked the Minister for Local Government what action he proposes to take about the serious housing problem in the urban areas of (a) Birr and (b) Tullamore; and if he will send an inspector from his Department to the local authorities with a view to speeding up the provision of suitable housing for the applicants many of whom have been several years awaiting houses.
The assessment of local housing needs and the formulation of building programmes to meet them are the responsibility of the housing authorities concerned. Proposals for further house building in their areas are at an advanced stage of planning. Officers of my Department are currently carrying out a series of local visits to housing authorities to review housing progress and a visit to the urban areas in Offaly County is due shortly. Any help which will assist in speeding up the provision of the required houses in these towns will, of course, be readily given.
59.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give his final approval to the layouts for 12 houses to be immediately erected in Mucklagh near Tullamore, County Offaly, where a grave housing shortage exists; and if there has been minimum delay in his Department having regard to the urgency of the problem.
Approval in principle was given on 26th ultimo to a layout for this scheme subject to the incorporation of certain specified alterations. The site for the scheme has unsatisfactory features related to planning and to subsoil conditions. Delay in dealing with the proposal was unavoidable because it was necessary to make sure that no more suitable and convenient site was available, and because the difficulties inherent in the layout of the site had to be overcome when it was decided finally to accept its use for housing purposes.
60.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will now finalise with the Offaly County Council all outstanding matters in regard to a scheme for the immediate erection of 48 houses in Edenderry, County Offaly, where the housing position is very bad; and if he is aware of the long delay in disposing of layout and house plans for this scheme.
I am informed that the housing authority's proposals are generally in order and that a few minor points which remain to be clarified will be dealt with at a meeting this week between the Department's inspector and the consultant architect.
I am not aware of any avoidable delay in my Department in dealing with this proposal.
61.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give his approval to the Laois County Council to invite tenders for the immediate erection of four houses at Roundwood, Mountrath, County Laois.
The housing authority were informed on 26th January, 1967, that, subject to a minor change in layout, and the use of a north aspect variant of the house plan submitted, the proposal for a four house scheme at Roundwood was in order. It is open to them to invite tenders for the scheme as soon as they have prepared the necessary contract documents.
62.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will immediately sanction tenders for the erection of six houses in Abbeyleix, County Laois, where an urgent housing shortage exists; and if work can be put in hands on the erection of these houses without delay.
This proposal, which was received in my Department last week has been approved.