Vol. 249 No. 11
asked the Minister for Local Government the total number of Dublin Corporation purchase houses which are built but unoccupied at Donaghmede; for how long these have remained unoccupied; the number of applicants awaiting them; and when it is intended that these applicants obtain possession.
41.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of Dublin Corporation purchase houses built on the Lower Kimmage Road; the date these were completed; the number of successful applicants who took possession; the number of applicants from the substitute list who were offered these houses; and why a person (name supplied) who was on the substitute list was not offered one of these houses.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
May I ask why two separate areas which have no relation to each other should be considered together? Question No. 40 refers to Donaghmede on the north side and the other question refers to a completely different scheme which has no relation to it. Question No. 41 refers to a particular applicant. I do not see how these questions can be taken together.
There is nothing I can do about this.
In such cases the Minister always says: "With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle", and you say you can do nothing about it. You have a right——
I wonder would the Deputy allow the Minister to reply?
On a point of order, I am asking if the Ceann Comhairle has the right to decide if two questions can be taken together?
I am allowing these two questions together.
On a point of order, I am asking has the Ceann Comhairle the right to decide if two questions can be taken together?
I am allowing these two questions together.
You have the right to do this?
Yes.
That is not what you said originally.
Arrangements for the allocation of purchase-type houses provided by them are matters for the corporation. There is no information available in my Department which would enable me to reply to the Deputy's questions.
I have asked the Minister for certain information about Dublin Corporation purchase houses. The Minister is directly responsible for Dublin Corporation and he has the right, and the facilities, to obtain this information but he is not supplying it. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I propose to raise the subject matter of these two questions on the Adjournment.
The Deputy will have to give notice on another day. It is now after 3.30 p.m.
It is a disgrace that the Minister for Local Government can come in and say with contempt that he is not going to give this information.
Is the Minister not willing to give us the number of houses that have not been taken up in Donaghmede because of the increased deposit? Houses are lying vacant because the persons who originally said they would take them cannot now do so because of the increased deposit. Surely the Minister can tell us the number so that other people may apply— and not just a couple of friends who are told to apply?
This is a matter for the corporation.
There is no corporation.
The corporation continues to function—and to do a good job, too. My function in regard to both schemes is confined solely to providing the capital or approving the guarantee scheme under which the capital is provided or approving of the terms under which the houses are disposed of. The detailed information requested by Deputy O'Connell is not kept in the Department. If it were to be kept it would necessitate duplication which would create duplication of staff, a waste of time and duplication of expense in keeping a double set of figures which are of no great benefit to anybody.
There is considerable concern and anxiety amongst the applicants for these houses that they have been told they would be granted. There is no news. Meanwhile, the deposit goes up and people cannot find the difference to enable them to meet the requirements of Dublin Corporation. It was money voted by this House.
If the Minister gives money to the corporation he should know what happens to it.
Deputy O'Connell should allow questions to continue.
The Minister will not answer anything.
