§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in a Letter of 3rd November, 1916, addressed by him to the honorary secretaries of the Association of Municipal Authorities for Ireland, it was stated that forty-four cottages under the Land Improvement Acts were built by Mr. Smith-Barry, now Lord Barrymore, within the urban district of Tipperary at a cost of £6,500, and that 1671W Lord Barrymore's agent, Mr. George C. Townsend, at a local government housing inquiry held at Tipperary on 5th January, 1915, stated that eighty-five cottages were built under loan of £7,800; whether he will state how the information contained in his letter was arrived at; and will he give particulars as to works executed by Mr. Smith-Barry under loans from the Board of Works, namely: 23rd August, 1878, £2,500; 14th February, 1879, £1,080; 22nd October, 1879, £1,500; 31st March, 1880, £500; 11th June, 1880, £3,800; 28th November, 1883, £800; and 13th December, 1883, £300, showing a total of £10,480?
§ Mr. DUKEThe information given in my letter of 3rd November, 1916, was obtained from the Commissioners of Public Works and was, I believe, correct. I have no knowledge as to Mr. Townsend's alleged statement. The particulars of the loans referred to in the question are:
Of the amount of £8.200 borrowed for labourers' cottages, £6,500 was expended in the urban district and the rest outside.
Date. Amount Works. £ 23 Aug., 1878 2,500 Labourers' cottages. 14 Feb., 1879 1,080 Farm house. 22 Oct., 1879 1,500 Labourers' cottages. 31 March, 1880 500 Drainage. 11 June, 1880 3,800 Labourers' cottages, £3,400. Farm house and dairies, £400. 28 Nov., 1883 800 Labourers' cottages. 13 Dec., 1883 300 Hay barn and lime-kiln Total 10,480
§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what measures are being taken to enable the commencing of housing operations in Dublin; whether he is aware that several schemes, especially in St. Patrick's Division, are required to provide sanitary dwellings for the workers: 1672W whether he can state, approximately. when the sites in Farebrothers' Fields will be required; and whether the plot holders in occupation there, will be provided with land in a convenient position?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Local Government Board have sanctioned all loans applied for by the Corporation of Dublin for the erection of houses for the working classes, except that for the Fairbrothers' Fields area, which will be sanctioned when certain details arranged with corporation as to plans and the lay-out of the site have been completed. I am informed that fully 6 acres of the Fairbrothers' Fields area will be available for allotments for an indefinite period, and that the remaining 16 acres will probably be taken up for building about the beginning of next year. As regards the last part of the question, it was stated at a recent inquiry that the Corporation of Dublin were anxious, if possible, to provide further allotments near Fairbrothers' Fields.