asked the Minister for Local Government how many houses in the country, in relation to overcrowding, are in contravention of section 63 of the Housing Act, 1966; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Overcrowded Houses.
46.
The information sought in the first part of the question is not available in my Department. In the White Paper, Housing in the Seventies, which I issued last June, it was estimated on the basis of returns from local authorities and other data that the number of dwellings needed for persons living in overcrowded dwellings or involuntarily with other families was about 20,000.
As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 11 and 12 of the 4th December, 1969, and, in particular, to the special subsidies of up to £106 a year for a serviced house, £153 a year for a flat in a building of less than six storeys and £184 a year for a high flat, payable by my Department for up to 50 years to local authorities providing accommodation for persons living in overcrowded conditions.
Why is the information asked for in the first part of the question not available and would the Minister ask his Department to look into the matter with a view to making the information available?
No. We have a fairly accurate idea of the needs that exist in regard to the replacement of overcrowded dwellings and the building of houses for people who are living involuntarily with other families.
Surely this information must be available to the Minister's Department to enable him to know exactly how far he must go to provide houses? The Minister must have the information requested by Deputy Corish.
No.
I say he should have it.