asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state, (a) the number of houses in the town of Ballymote, County Sligo, which have been condemned by the local medical officer as unfit for human habitation; (b) the number of houses erected by the Sligo County Board of Health in the town of Ballymote since 1932, and (c) the number of such houses in course of erection.

The number of houses in the town of Ballymote which have been condemned by the local medical officer as unfit for human habitation is 74. The number of houses erected by the Sligo County Board of Health in the town of Ballymote since 1932 is one. There are no houses in course of erection in the town, but proposals are under consideration by the board of health.

In view of the obvious failure of the Sligo County Board of Health to provide adequate housing facilities for the residents of the town of Ballymote, will the Minister take whatever steps it is possible for him to take to compel the Sligo Board of Health to provide suitable accommodation for those people who are living in condemned houses?

The Minister for Local Government and Public Health has certain powers under the Housing Acts, but we are reluctant to use these powers or to interfere with local authorities unless we are absolutely compelled to do so. We try to point out their duty to local authorities and persuade them to adopt the right course. We have had correspondence with Sligo Board of Health, as with many other similar bodies, and we have endeavoured to induce them to speed up this desirable work. I shall consider the matter raised by the Deputy.

Could the Minister not have stated, in the course of his reply, that the Sligo Board of Health have a scheme for the erection of cottages in Ballymote? It is rather extraordinary that the Deputy should avail of the Dáil for the purpose of dealing with this question when he could have approached members of the board of health and asked them to hasten the Department's decision in the matter.

As Minister I have approached the board of health by means of correspondence through the Department frequently on the matter of the provision of adequate housing accommodation in their area in general, and I am not satisfied that they have done all that they might have.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, can he give the House particulars of the scheme which is at present before him from the Sligo Board of Health, and which is awaiting his sanction or approval?

If the Deputy puts that question on the Order Paper, I will give him all the information that I have.

Does not the Minister think that it would be more disingenuous if he stated frankly that the provision of houses in Ballymote is largely being held up by himself and his own Department because of their failure to give approval to schemes.

That is entirely untrue. I have been trying for the last three or five years to get the Sligo Board of Health to put up adequate schemes in this matter. I do not like to use strong language, but certainly they have not done their duty in that regard.

Is there a scheme before the Minister now?

They have quite recently, under great pressure, put up schemes.

Is there not a scheme before the Minister now?

There is, and I have stated that, but they have never put up a scheme adequate to deal with the situation.

rose.

Question No. 4.

May I draw attention to the fact that, while a Deputy who represents a particular constituency is not allowed to ask supplementaries, a Deputy who is not a representative of that constituency is allowed to ask what he likes about it.

The Parliamentary Secretary should know that the decision as to allowing supplementaries rests with the Chair. The Deputy who put the original question did, in fact, put a supplementary question.