asked the Minister for the Environment the number of dwellings commenced in the housing sector to date in 1979 as compared with the same period in 1978 and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The number of local authority dwellings commenced in the period 1 January 1979 to 30 September 1979 was 3,779 as compared with 3,844 in the same period in 1978. Information regarding non-local authority dwellings commenced is not available. However, the number of loans approved for new houses by the four main lending agencies in the period January to September 1979 was 12,498 as against 11,020 in the same period in 1978. The number of new house completions up to the end of September was 19,560 compared with 19,079 at the end of September 1978 and it is expected that total completions for the year may reach the target of 25,500.

What action does the Minister now propose to take to ensure that the dramatic slide in local authority housing over the last two years will be evened out and possibly reversed?

At the end of the third quarter it was 3,844 as against 3,779. Tradesmen were not easily got although this was more so in Dublin. I understand this has eased somewhat in recent months.

Arising out of that identification of the problem is the Minister now in a position, having reviewed what we said yesterday, to consider the possibility of requesting Dublin Corporation to have a direct labour unit to remove these problems which prevent people from getting houses?

I accept that the problem is easing and the situation is improving.

That will go down well in Killarney Street.