asked the Minister for Local Government when the last survey of the housing requirements of Mullingar, County Westmeath, was carried out; what number of houses was then shown to be necessary; whether any proposals have since been submitted to him to provide the required number of houses, and if so, for how many houses; what number has since been provided; and how many houses are at present required.

The only housing survery recently carried out in Mullingar, of which I am aware, was that of unfit houses which I asked housing authorities to initiate in 1960. Although not separately indicated in the results for the county, furnished to me in August, 1962, I understand that the survey revealed that there were then 25 unfit houses in Mullingar. I am informed that the occupants of six of these have since been rehoused.

With regard to the latter part of the question, a scheme of 12 houses was completed by the housing authority about July last and I have approved on the 18th instant a proposal for the erection of a further 15 houses at Cathedral View. I am not, however, in a position to state the number of houses which the local authority consider are required in the area.

I should like to assure the Minister that we have a very active county council in Westmeath. Their first and last thoughts are always the people of Mullingar who need houses.