andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Lands the number of vacant houses in the hands of the Land Commission in the Rathcarn Gaeltacht in County Meath; how long they have been vacant; and when they will be allocated.
27.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Houses.
26.
asked the Minister for Lands how many vacant houses there are in County Meath in the hands of the Land Commission; how long they have been vacant; and when they will be allocated.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I am assuming that the questions refer to existing dwellinghouses in the possession of the Land Commission following acquisition proceedings.
In the Rathcarn Gaeltacht there is one such house, taken over by the Land Commission in March, 1969, and, at present, illegally occupied.
Otherwise in County Meath there are ten such houses considered fit for human habitation. Possession of these passed to the Land Commission on various dates between April, 1968, and November, 1970. It is not possible to indicate when these houses will be disposed of but there will be no avoidable delay.
Is the Minister aware that it is quite provocative to homeless people in this area to find houses in the possession of the Land Commission left lying vacant and will he take steps as soon as possible to make these houses available at least on a temporary basis to people who are badly in need of houses prior to a long-term solution being arrived at?
As the Deputy knows, most of the houses which come into the possession of the Land Commission as a result of acquisition proceedings are ultimately disposed of by public auction but, in view of the special circumstances pertaining in this area, it is proposed that most of them will be allocated locally rather than advertised for sale by public auction to the general public. I would be glad if this process went ahead as quickly as possible.
Thank you for that reply.