asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the present position regarding the provision of new housing in the City Quay area of Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Housing.
35.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 101 of 5th August, 1971, on the subject. I understand that there has been a discussion since then between the corporation and representatives of the local community, who were informed that the corporation had noted the various points which the deputation had made and would arrange for a further discussion when these had been examined.
36.
asked the Minister for Local Government if Dublin Corporation receive the same housing subsidy in respect of applicants on their housing lists who are occupiers of caravans, as they do in respect of other applicants for tenancy dwellings.
The re-housing of occupiers of caravans on medical, compassionate or other similar grounds, qualifies for the payment of the higher rate of subsidy, if their circumstances would not permit them to be otherwise housed. In any other case subsidy at the normal rate is payable.
I trust you do not mind me asking a supplementary question on this Question?
It would be unusual if the Deputy did not.
May I ask the Minister why he will not include occupiers of caravans? These are people who have had to move into caravans out of overcrowded houses?
I am not excluding occupiers of caravans but they must qualify under section 44 of the 1966 Housing Act. I am not excluding them.
37.
asked the Minister for Local Government if any further development has resulted from his discussions with Dublin Corporation regarding the provision of accommodation for families with one child.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 287 of 28th October last on the subject. I expect to receive in the near future the report of An Foras Forbartha, which was referred to in that reply. Work has been started on a scheme of prototype system built dwellings in Bray which were specially designed by the National Building Agency for smaller families. These prototypes will be available in about a month for inspection by Dublin Corporation.
The corporation have welcomed my proposal to make a special capital allocation for a project to provide housing for the smaller families on their waiting list and have promised their active co-operation. They have agreed in principle to the inclusion of precincts of smaller dwellings as part of all future major housing developments and have already submitted proposals for the Balcurris area which include 40 two-roomed houses. Proposals have been submitted also by the corporation for eight two-roomed flats at Cappagh Road and tenders will be invited shortly for these flats: 120 two-roomed flats are being built for the corporation by the National Building Agency in their Tallaght east scheme. Normally each block of corporation flats includes a proportion of dwellings suitable for smaller families—for example, 935 of the 3,265 dwellings provided in Ballymun are one-or two-roomed dwellings. The corporation have already provided 338 temporary dwellings which are mainly occupied by single persons or elderly couples.
The corporation have pointed out that the availability of suitable serviced sites is a major difficulty in developing a special project for housing smaller families. They have agreed, however, to carry out a special survey of sites in and around the city which might be suitable for this type of housing. Their normal operations of the housing programme for smaller and medium type families—such as draws for newlyweds, and private site and co-operative housing—will continue.
The proposals outlined in my reply of 28th October last have also been put before the housing authority in the County Dublin area and that authority are examining the proposals.
Is the Minister aware that Dublin Corporation now exclude families with only one child? Such a family is not even considered for accommodation unless the family have been evicted from a furnished room under a court order. That is the only condition under which such a family will get consideration. I would say there are 2,000 families with one child on the waiting list and would the Minister not agree something should be done as a matter of urgency?
The Deputy knows my attitude in this matter. I have already stated that those in these circumstances are in a particularly weak position from the point of view of obtaining houses from local authorities. I have informed local authorities of my willingness to make special capital available for this purpose. A certain amount has been done by way of drawing up a programme to provide dwellings for those in this category. The Deputy should accept my good intentions and wish me success. This problem cannot be solved overnight. There is difficulty in getting suitable sites. It would be wrong to put all these families into one scheme. It is much better to disperse them.
The Minister has my assurance he will get my support in this and, if he brings the scheme to fruition, I will be the first to publicise his good work.
38.
asked the Minister for Local Government what proportion of the Government's recent £20 million injection into the economy will be allocated to Dublin Corporation for the building of tenancy dwellings; and if he will indicate the number of extra dwellings which will be built as a result.
In reply to Parliamentary Question No. 138 on the 16th inst. I gave a list of local authority housing schemes which were sanctioned following the recent decision of the Government to make additional capital available in 1972-73.
No proposals by Dublin Corporation for the acceptance of tenders for housing schemes were then, or are now, awaiting my sanction.
The corporation have been assured of the availability of adequate capital for their local authority housing programme. They have also been informed that I am prepared to make a substantial additional allocation of capital to them for the purpose of providing special housing for the smaller families on their approved waiting list.
At 31st December, 1971, they had 3,074 weekly-tenancy dwellings in progress or at tender stage, 4,346 dwellings were at planning stage, while sites had been or were being acquired for a further 12,900 dwellings.
Would the Minister be able to give me the up-to-date figure of the number of families on the housing list?
The corporation would probably give the Deputy that figure.
They will not. If the Minister would get it for me I would appreciate it.
39.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the payment of State grants in respect of new houses in Dublin (details supplied); and whether he is prepared to force the developers to complete outstanding defects in these houses immediately.
State grants have been fully paid in respect of 24 of the 30 houses in this scheme. In the case of the remaining six houses the balances of £135 each of the State grants will not be paid until the defects notified to the grant applicant have been satisfactorily rectified. The satisfactory completion of the houses concerned is a matter in the first instance for the grant applicant.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present system under which contractors collect the State grant although they advertise a price which does not include the State grant?
I am not too happy about this practice of advertising a price which includes the State grant. I think it should be shown separately.
I think it should.