asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the very serious position concerning the construction of local authority housing in County Dublin whereby 1,726 families are at present on the waiting list and construction of housing is delayed because of a shortage of technical staff; and whether he will agree to introducing a bonus incentive scheme so as to attract additional staff.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Housing.
26.
The most recent review by Dublin County Council of their waiting list indicated that there were approximately 1,450 approved applicants awaiting rehousing. I understand that the figure of 1,726 mentioned was the total number of applications for rehousing submitted to the council, irrespective of whether or not the applicants have been approved for rehousing.
At 31st December 1969, the council's current housing programme comprised a total of 7,364 dwellings or sites. Work was then in progress on 379 dwellings or private sites, 3,365 were at tender or in planning and land had been or was being acquired for an additional 3,620 dwellings or sites.
The information at my disposal would not indicate that there is a serious shortage of technical staff in the offices of the county council or that housing work is being delayed on this account. Any difficulties which have been experienced by local authorities in recruiting certain professional staff—for example, planners or architects—is due to the general shortage of persons possessing the necessary qualifications and I do not consider that the introduction of a bonus incentive scheme would affect this position.
While the Minister may have some figures there to show that so many houses are envisaged, is it not true that last year only 136 houses were built in this area and that the worst-hit areas in County Dublin are the Dundrum and Tallaght electoral areas for which the Minister and myself have a certain responsibility? Would he not hold out some hope that an incentive scheme might do away with this technical shortage which not alone is the cause of a housing delay but, according to the assistant city and county manager, is also the reason why the arterial road scheme is not going ahead?
I do note that the council have either in progress or in planning quite a number of houses for these areas and I hope they will get ahead with them as quickly as possible. I agree that the progress in the provision of housing for this local authority has been disappointing.
Is the Minister not aware that the local authority, Dublin County Council, who have a waiting list of 1,700 approximately, have one grade 1 architect, that the answer is that they cannot get these technical people simply and solely because the Minister will not agree to pay them, that he held up the arbitrator's award for 12 months and then watered it down, while we have consultants from outside doing the work at ten times the cost?
No part of what the Deputy has suggested is correct, not even his figures in regard to the waiting list. The approved waiting list is 1,450, which is less than 1,700. I am aware of the fact that this is one housing authority that wastes the greatest part of its time political playacting instead of getting ahead with the work.
There is a Fianna Fáil chairman there.
The coalition majority in this local authority has traditionally obstructed progress.
That is unfair to Deputy Burke.
It has traditionally obstructed progress in every direction.
Deputy Burke would not obstruct progress. That is quite unfair.
The most restrictive local authority in Ireland. The coalition majority in this particular local authority does not want progress to be made.
Do not forget that it is a Fianna Fáil chairman.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling question No. 27.
Deputy Burke does his best. He comes regularly to me to try and get me to get Dublin County Council to do something, but what can I do with this solid coalition?
(Interruptions.)
Do not claim there is no coalition. Did you not form a coalition again last week? Is it not official since last week? I suggest you form a coalition for the next three weeks in your own party.