asked the Minister for Local Government whether in view of the shortage of housing accomodation in the Saorstát, and the fact that the building of houses is not an economic proposition, he will formulate a scheme of Grants to persons who build houses for the purpose of letting to tenants; whether, in addition, he will introduce legislation exempting all working class houses so built from taxation and income tax for a period of five years; whether this would not be a preferable way of solving the housing problem to the system of loans and grants to Municipal and other authorities.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SUBSIDIES FOR BUILDERS OF HOUSES.
The Government have been considering the problem on the lines indicated in the question. Investigations are being made as to whether any measures can be taken to secure reductions in the abnormally high cost of construction. An announcement on the matter will be made as soon as possible.