(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Local Government the acreage in the possession of Dublin Corporation in the Dublin 8 area which is scheduled for house building.

25.

(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Local Government the number of dwelling units at present under construction in the Dublin 8 area.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.

I am informed by Dublin Corporation that 36 dwellings are at present under construction for them at Newmarket—The Coombe (North); and that an aggregate area of 11.67 acres, already in their possession in the Dublin 8 area, is scheduled for the building of local authority dwellings. Compulsory purchase orders have been confirmed by me for a further 12 acres and the corporation are considering the acquisition of another 13 acres in the area for housing purposes.

(Dublin Central): Is the Minister aware that there is a considerable amount of unused open space in the Dublin 8 area, and would he expedite the plans for its utilisation for private dwellings?

I think Deputy Fitzpatrick is missing the point. This is a matter for Dublin Corporation.

(Dublin Central): Deputy Tully is the Minister for Local Government.

I do not direct Dublin Corporation or any other local authority as to where they should build houses or allow houses to be built. If they put a compulsory purchase order before me and if I consider it proper, I sign it. One of my predecessors refused to sign a compulsory purchase order in Dublin some years ago and held up housing in Dublin city centre for many years as a result. There will be quite a number of such compulsory purchase orders coming before me and if they are in order I will sign them. However, I cannot force Dublin Corporation, of which the Deputy is a member, to do the work if they do not want to do it.

(Dublin Central): The Deputy is not a member of Dublin Corporation, and that is why I am addressing my question to the Minister for Local Government.

What a pity.

(Dublin Central): Would the Minister at least encourage Dublin Corporation to carry out comprehensive plans for the development of Dublin city?

I have encouraged them to the tune of £23.7 million this year, which is a big encouragement, in view of the fact that they were getting only £8 million a few years ago.

(Dublin Central): I am talking about development in the centre city area.

I am talking about development in the centre city area, because a lot of this money will be spent in the centre city area. The Deputy must be aware that there is building going on in the Liberties and in the Coombe areas that were neglected for many years. I do not know why he should be raising the issue now.

Would the Minister agree that Dublin Corporation are short of money?

I do not see why they should be. If they were able to struggle along with the £6 million or £7 million which they got from the Deputy's Government, they should do nicely with £23.7 million from us.