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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 Feb 1970

Vol. 244 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allocation of County Donegal Houses.

11.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received complaints that the recent allocation of the Oldtown No. 3 housing scheme by Letterkenny Urban District Council was not carried out in accordance with the regulations; and that several applicants with families living in unfit and overcrowded conditions were refused houses while other applicants without children and in better accommodation received allocations; and whether in view of the serious nature of these complaints he will set up an independent public inquiry to ascertain the full facts in relation to the allocation of this scheme.

I have received representations concerning the allocation of new houses at Oldtown, Letterkenny, and I am having the position examined. I have asked for a full report and requested that none of the houses should be let until this report is received and considered.

Surely the Minister will agree that the flagrant disregard for the letting arrangements in this instance calls for nothing less than a full, exhaustive and public inquiry to satisfy the feelings of the people directly concerned who feel outraged at the manner in which these houses were allocated. The public generally have fears that must be allayed concerning the alleged skulduggery that has gone on in respect of the allocation of this housing scheme. Is the Minister not aware that couples who have only recently married, many allegedly living in comfortable conditions, were granted houses in this 40 house scheme and that others with large families have been waiting for ten years? Will the Minister assure the House that this kind of practice, which we only associated with Unionist-dominated bodies in north-east Ulster, will not be tolerated in this part of the country, least of all in Donegal?

I am aware of the allegations that have been made and I have asked for a report on it. Until such time as I receive this report I do not intend to take any action other than my action in requesting the local authority not to let these houses until I receive the report.

Does the Minister intend to have an investigation carried out immediately or must we wait for two or three months before he gets round to doing it?

We will not.

I take it that the Minister is going to have this investigation carried out immediately?

It is being done. I have asked for the report.

The Minister should have said that the first time.

I said it twice. Maybe the Deputy has a guilty conscience.

I have not a guilty conscience.

The trouble is that the Minister does not have any conscience.

12.

asked the Minister for Local Government what rent system is applicable to the Oldtown No. 3 housing scheme, Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if he will give details.

No rent proposal in relation to this scheme, which I understand is still in progress, has been submitted for my approval.

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