asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes altering the specification for demountable dwellings in view of the damage caused to those dwellings, particularly in coastal areas, during the recent storm.

Demountable dwellings are temporary and designed to meet special kinds of housing needs — in particular the accommodation of elderly persons living in areas where a continuing need for the dwellings is not anticipated. In view of the damage caused by recent storms, I am asking local authorities to carry out an urgent review of the present condition of any such dwellings provided by them. I should also say that a special examination of the standards and specifications for demountable dwellings currently in use by local authorities was intitiated by my Department some time ago.