asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in the handing over of flats in the Ballymun scheme, having particular regard to the fact that several unfulfilled promises have been made to Dublin Corporation in the matter, the latest promise being that a number of flats were to be handed over on 5th May though this has not happened as yet.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun Flats.
23.
The programme of the contractors, which was reviewed in August, 1966, and notified to the corporation, provided that the cumulative total of dwellings to be completed and ready for occupation at 30th June, 1967, would be 400 houses, 52 flatlets and 590 flats. At 31st March last, 1,096 dwellings in the project had been structurally completed and so far, 572 of these have been handed over to the corporation by the National Building Agency; 279 completed flats in three 8-storey blocks are scheduled to be offered by the contractors this months for the process of inspection, certification and hand-over to the corporation; and 180 flats in two 15-storey blocks have been built and revisions to these are being carried out in accordance with design and structural alterations required by specific decision of the Housing Committee of Dublin Corporation at their meeting on 7th April last, and confirmed by the committee in the course of their inspection on the site on Friday last, 9th June. The offer by the contractors of the hand-over of these completed flats is temporarily deferred pending the carrying out of the alterations required by the committee. Otherwise, the whole programme is in close correspondence with that previously notified to the corporation.
I am informed that labour difficulties for a time adversely affected the rate of progress achieved earlier this year. Nevertheless, the total number of dwellings structurally completed at 31st May was 1,178 and the contractors forecast, assuming they are enabled to adhere to their programme, that it will be possible for them to complete the total of 3,021 dwellings within the four-year contract period which was agreed to by the corporation.
Can the Minister state what alterations were requested by the Housing Committee of Dublin Corporation?
They requested certain alterations in the kitchens of some of these flats, alterations to the plans already approved by the Housing Committee.
Would the Minister not agree that the alterations were sought because there were no windows in the kitchens of the flats that were being offered?
That is the position. The corporation changed their minds in the meantime.
The corporation were never aware there were to be no windows in the kitchens of the flats.
The corporation approved of the plans.
(Cavan): And the Minister's Department sanctioned them.
The corporation changed their minds.
The Minister's Department sanctioned them.
That is right.
With no windows in the kitchen.
Is the Minister aware that there are at the present time families awaiting accommodation in this city and that, contrary to what he says, this so-called scheme at Ballymun is over a year behindhand in production of dwellings? He is trying to put a face on the indefensible situation existing out there. Is he not also aware that thousands of people compelled to live as sub-tenants in corporation houses are suffering as a result of his inactivity in this matter and the inactivity of his predecessor sitting there beside him who put up the pretence that these houses were going to be ready? They ought to be ashamed of themselves.
I am aware that there is a very serious housing problem in Dublin city and have been aware of it for some considerable time, unlike Deputy Dunne——
The Minister does not know the first thing about it.
——who has only now become aware of it since he decided to abandon County Dublin and turn his attention to the city.
That is a lie. There is nobody more familiar with it than I am.
The Deputy must withdraw the expression "lie" in regard to the Minister.
I withdraw the expression "lie": a terminological inexactitude.
This scheme is up to date.
It is not up to date.
This scheme was to be handed over in July.
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputies please contain themselves and allow the business to proceed?