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Dáil Éireann - Volume 173 - 10 March, 1959 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Housing. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish 31. Mr. Corish asked the Minister for Local Government if in view of the fact that many more houses are required in Wexford town he will state why building by the Wexford Corporation has reached such a low level. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: The fall in the number of houses being erected by the Wexford Corporation is due to the fact that the corporation are reaching the end of their building programme. I am informed that schemes already in progress or due to be commenced at an early date, together with casual vacancies arising in existing municipal houses, will be adequate to satisfy the present housing needs of working class families in the borough. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Could the Minister say, according to the last census, how many new houses are required in Wexford town? Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 803 Mr. Blaney: According to the figures with which I have been furnished by the local authorities, the [803] corporation and the county council, it would appear that when the houses which are now in process of construction, or for which sanction has been granted, have been completed and occupied, there will be a balance of approximately 55 still required. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Is the Minister aware that there is a virtual slow-down in the erection of the last scheme of houses which he sanctioned, due, I believe, to his interference in insisting that there should be a sub-contract, from the direct labour figure for the building of houses, which was previously accepted by him? Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: I am not quite sure what the Deputy is trying to get at. If he wants an assurance from me I can assure him very definitely that it is not my wish that there should be a slow-down. If there has been a slow-down, it is not attributable to negotiations or discussions between my Department and the local authority concerned. Further in regard to this matter, if there is at the moment a question of getting tender prices for some works done by direct labour, that is solely due to the history of the high cost of building in that local authority where the direct labour system has been in operation for a number of years. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Is the Minister further aware that the price given by the director of direct labour in Wexford town is £166 cheaper than the nearest tender by a contractor? Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: I am glad to hear that and trust the figure given by the contractor was not an inflated one and the difference now shown by the director of building in Wexford is not an inflated figure. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Why then does the Minister insist that tenders be invited for the manufacture of, say, doors, door frames and timber work generally? Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: I am not aware—— Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: I am sure the Minister is not. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 804 [804] Mr. Blaney: I am not aware of that at the moment, but if it is being done, the history of costs has not been so good and I do not know—— Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: I do not accept that. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: Likewise to the Deputy's assertion, I do not accept it either. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: You, too. Dáil Éireann 173 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Wexford Housing. Questions 19590310
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