asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the appalling housing conditions existing in parts of the Ringsend-Irishtown area, and the extreme hardship experienced by many corporation tenants in this area; the action the Government intend taking to alleviate this problem and if he will initiate a crash programme to rehouse such people within their own area of South East Dublin.

I am not aware that there are appalling housing conditions in the Ringsend-Irishtown area, or that many tenants of Dublin Corporation houses in the area are experiencing extreme hardship. A scheme of 149 houses is being built by the corporation at Pigeon House Road and I understand that the local authority is now considering the provision of more houses in Ringsend-Irishtown. It is a matter for the corporation, in accordance with their scheme of letting priorities, to allocate the tenancies of dwellings provided by them. Existing tenants in the area who wish to transfer to other corporation dwelling will be considered for such rehousing, due regard being had to their relative needs and their position on the housing list.

If the Minister is not aware of the appalling housing conditions, would he be willing to come and look at them? Is he aware that people are living in conditions of extreme damp, with walls running with damp and with water on the floor under the linoleum? Is he aware that 12 people are living in two-bedroom accommodation in the Ringsend area and have been doing so for a long time past? Would the Minister withdraw the note of complacency in his reply which is due, I am sure, to the fact that he has not been properly informed on this point?

I was not aware of these conditions. In answer to the first part of the Deputy's question, I would be prepared to go and see them at the earliest opportunity.

We would be very grateful. Is the Minister aware of the problems existing because this area is unique in the south-east quadrant of the city in that in the hinterland of it there are no housing schemes accessible to the people? It is this that has led to the accumulation of overcrowding. Would he consider, therefore, giving priority to additional housing in this area because only a fraction, something like one-fifth, of the housing demand in the area is being satisfied by the schemes mentioned?

In the course of my reply I stated that a scheme of 149 houses was being built by the corporation at Pigeon House Road. I presume this is the same area.

Does the Minister appreciate that only a portion of those houses, something like one-third, will go to people from the area and that this is catering for less than one-fifth of the total demand for housing in the area which remains unsatisfied, leaving the people living in the conditions I have mentioned?

With regard to the 149 houses, I understand that 35 of them have already been allocated, some of them to tenants from the Pearse Street area who were affected by a CPO. The allocation of the new houses to tenants is proceeding steadily as the houses are being handed over by the builder. It is expected that the scheme will be completely allocated by the end of this year.

That is the trouble. We will have several hundred people unhoused.

Is the Minister aware that for the Ringsend housing area, No. 2, there are 520 families on the combined waiting list looking for housing in the 149 house scheme? Is the Minister aware that a minimum of 43 to 44 points is required to be housed in those houses as distinct from approximately 33 points in the Blanchardstown or Tallaght suburban sites? In view of this demand and this increased preference in terms of points for inner city housing will the Minister give an undertaking to the House that he will favourably consider an application by Dublin Corporation for additional capital funds to extend the scheme which is undoubtedly needed as expressed in terms of points preference and in terms of its advisability?

The corporation will have to submit their proposals but at present they are also considering the erection of a further 100 houses on land adjoining the site already mentioned. In addition, a scheme for about 13 houses at Londonbridge Road—Tritonville Road is at planning stage.

I join with my colleagues in underlining the gravity of the problem but I should like to know if the Minister would be good enough when undertaking the trip to Ringsend to accede to my invitation which has been on his desk for some months to have a look at the inner city on the north side?

We cannot go on with this matter. We have been dealing with questions for half an hour and we have only dealt with 13.

Would the Minister be kind enough to drop in to see us also?

Could I put in for a chance to give the Minister a day out also?

I will consider the north side. I have already toured a big area on the south side but when I have more time I will tour other areas, maybe during the summer recess.

I do not know if Deputies FitzGerald and Quinn are au fait with the situation in the area mentioned but we will be approaching the Minister shortly for an extension of the housing area at Pigeon House Road. Will the Minister speed up a decision on that application which will mean more houses there? Would the Minister agree that the momentum of housing has increased rapidly since last June in that area?

I would agree.

When the Minister is making out his itinerary will he remember that Dublin is not Ireland?

I always remember that.

While the Minister is in Waterford tomorrow will he visit with me a part of the city to see the very bad housing there?

I will not allow any more supplementaries on this question.

It would be a pity if the disgraceful housing situation of the inner city of Dublin was made the subject of a joke in the House.

I was not making a joke of it.