§ Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary how many plots for labourers' cottages have been acquired by the Cootehill (No. 2) Rural District Council, county Monaghan, and on which no cottages have as yet been erected; will he give the dates on which the schemes covering these sites were initiated; the dates on which the sites were acquired; what income has been received by the council in respect of these sites since their acquirement; and will he urge the Local Government Board, in view of the demand for cottages in this district, to make representations to the Cootehill (No. 2) Rural District Council to proceed immediately with the erection of the cottages?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have ascertained from the Clerk of the Council that twenty-six sites have been acquired on which cottages have not yet been erected, but on five of these plots cottages are in course of erection. The scheme was initiated on 14th February, 1907, and twenty-four plots were acquired between December, 1909, and August, 1910, the remaining two being acquired in 551W January and July last respectively. The council have received no income in respect of the sites. The delay in building the cottages is due to the council's inability to find contractors, notwithstanding repeated advertisements. In the circumstances the Board will suggest to the council the propriety of having the works executed by direct labour under the supervision of their engineer, and a clerk or clerks of works as has been done in other districts where similar difficulties have been experienced.