asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons why the Cottage Purchase Act is not in operation in County Dublin; and if he is aware that a large number of people completed purchase forms several years ago, but to date their cottages have not been handed over to them.

Cottage purchase schemes are in operation in County Dublin. There are 3,285 labourers' cottages in the county, of which 3,050 are included in the schemes confirmed by me. Up to date only 271 applications for purchase have been submitted to the local authority. Before cottages are vested they must be put in good repair and sanitary condition. Progress in vesting has been retarded by difficulties in the supply position, particularly as regards timber.

Does the Minister not think it unreasonable to take two or three years to deal with the 270 applications by tenants who wish to have their cottages vested in them? Is that not an unreasonable period?

It would be if circumstances were normal but, as I pointed out, these cottages must be put in good repair before they can be transferred to the tenants. Because of the difficult supply position, it has not been possible to conform to that regulation.