asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether a site has recently been acquired by the Limerick County Council at Knocklong for housing development; and, if so, the number of town houses or rural cottages it is proposed to erect thereon and how soon he expects work to commence there.

The Limerick County Council were authorised on 24th June, 1948, to acquire a site of 16 acres for a proposed housing scheme at Knocklong. Sketch plans for a scheme of 20 rural type cottages on the site have been drawn up, but the council have not yet taken a final decision on the question of whether the scheme will be treated as a rural scheme, or an urban scheme with full sanitary services. I understand that the matter will shortly come before the council following which the scheme will be put in hands as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (i) whether any tenders were received as a result of the recent advertisement for the erection of eight houses at Bruff; and, if so, whether a tender was accepted and how soon he expects work to commence; and (ii) whether any further sites have been acquired at Bruff; and, if so, what is the present position in regard to them.

(1) Six tenders were received as a result of a recent advertisement issued in connection with the erection of eight houses at Bruff. I understand that a tender was accepted by the council on the 14th instant and is about to be submitted to the Department for approval. Work can commence when the preliminaries in connection with the acceptance of a tender are found to be in order.

(2) Two further housing sites have been acquired in the town of Bruff, on each of which it is proposed to erect six houses. Layout plan and house designs in respect of each of these schemes have now been approved and it is proposed to proceed with these schemes during the current year.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether the housing needs of Doon, County Limerick, have been ascertained; and, if so, the number of houses which it is proposed to erect on the site recently acquired by Compulsory Purchase Order at Doon and the present position of this proposal.

The housing needs of Doon, County Limerick, are estimated at 16 houses. It is proposed to erect 12 houses on the site recently acquired by compulsory purchase. All plans in respect of this scheme have been approved by the Department and the county council may now invite tenders for the work.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether the housing needs of Caherconlish have been ascertained; if so, the number of houses it is proposed to erect on the site recently acquired by Compulsory Purchase Order at Caherconlish and the present position of the proposal.

It was recently ascertained that nine houses are needed at Caherconlish. It is proposed to erect seven houses on the site authorised to be acquired by Compulsory Purchase Order. The council may be awaiting the official arbitration proceedings before proceeding with this work, but it is proposed to remind them that they have power to enter on the lands before compensation is determined and paid.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether the housing needs of the following villages have been ascertained:—Castleconnell, Galbally, Hospital, Pallasgreen, Murroe, Ballyneety; if it is proposed to erect houses in these villages; and, if so, the number in each case and when work on their erection is likely to commence.

The estimated housing needs of the villages mentioned in the Deputy's question, and the number of houses the council propose to erect in each, are as follows:—

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether the housing needs of Athea have been ascertained; and, if so, how many houses it is proposed to erect there and what progress has been made towards erecting them.

The housing needs of Athea are three houses, which will be built in the village on a site recently acquired. I understand that a site plan and house design in respect of the scheme have been prepared and are about to be submitted to the Department for approval.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether the housing needs of the following villages have been ascertained: Askeaton, Shanagolden, Ballingarry, Dromcollogher, Mungret, Kildimo, Castlemahon, Mount Collins; and, if so, what are the needs of each and when is it proposed to erect houses to satisfy these needs.

The estimated housing needs of the villages mentioned in the Deputy's question are as follows:—

A two-year housing programme which has been drawn up by the Limerick County Council for the period 1949-51 includes provision for the acquisition of sites in these areas, with the exception of Mount Collins. The council have been asked to expedite the acquisition of the sites which are required. Proposals regarding sites at Mount Collins have not yet been received.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the present position in regard to the following proposed housing schemes:— Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Patrickswell, Kilmallock, Foynes, Glin and Adare.

The present position in regard to the housing schemes proposed by the Limerick County Council for the towns mentioned in the Deputy's question is as follows:—Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Patrickswell, Kilmallock.—I understand from the local authority that bills of quantities for these schemes are now practically completed and that they expect to be in a position to invite tenders within a week for the Newcastle West, Patrickswell and Kilmallock schemes, and within a month in the case of the Abbeyfeale scheme.

Foynes, Adare, Glin—The proposals of the council for the acquisition of sites to satisfy the housing needs of Foynes, Adare and Glin are awaited.

The Deputy was informed in reply to a similar question on 2nd March last that the council had received offers of sites at Foynes and Glin. The council have not yet completed the examination of these proposals.