asked the Minister for Local Government how much land has now been, or is being, acquired in County Dublin for the building of council houses; and how much land has been, or is being, acquired for the building of Dublin Corporation houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Dublin Building Land.
11.
I am informed by Dublin County Council that they have acquired a total of 200 acres for local authority housing, and are in process of acquiring approximately another 70 acres for housing. They have also acquired 267 acres and are in process of acquiring another 144 acres for general development which will include local authority housing.
I am informed by Dublin Corporation that they have acquired a total of 603 acres for local authority housing and are in process of acquiring another 248 acres for this purpose. They have also acquired some 883 acres which will be used for general development, including local authority housing.
Could the Minister say what proportion of this land is serviced at present; that is for sewerage and water, and how much is purchased in anticipation of being serviced in future?
There will be a proportion of both; I do not know the exact proportion.
Could the Minister say when it will be serviced?
I do not know. I have not got the list here.
The Minister should know.
I can get the information if I am asked for it, but if either Deputy Dunne or Deputy Clinton had any interest in the problem, they would probably ask me a question, but they did not because they have no interest in it.
Deputies
They are asking you a question.
I was asked for the amount of land and I gave the information. They now know something about what is being done in their constituency about this problem. They knew nothing before.
The Minister put down the question in Deputy P.J. Burke's name. It has misfired on him.
It is because I know that houses cannot be built on a large proportion of this land because there is neither sewerage nor water available, and sewerage mainly——
It is a good policy to acquire land in advance of the provision of services. Deputy Clinton would prefer if we waited until the land was developed and prices went up and then they would have another story.
Why did you tell Deputy P.J. Burke to put down this question?
I am grateful to my colleague who is looking after our gracious people in County Dublin and that he is going to get land for them.
Question No. 12 postponed.