asked the President whether he is aware that there is great dissatisfaction in rural districts owing to the fact that in the Housing (Building Facilities) Act, 1924, no provision has been made for grants in aid of the expense of reconstructing houses; and whether, having regard to the fact that many houses in those districts are in a dilapidated condition and would be repaired by the owners were they entitled to the grants which are available for citizens of the urban areas for this purpose, he will introduce a Bill for the purpose of making such grants available for the residents in rural areas.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RECONSTRUCTING HOUSES IN RURAL AREAS.
The matter was discussed during the passage of the Act last session. These provisions are intended to meet the special needs of town areas where sites are expensive and difficult to obtain and where owing to congestion an added difficulty would arise in the demolition of existing buildings. I understand there is a healthy activity in the building of new houses in rural areas under the Act. Apart from other considerations, the cost of carrying out necessary inspections in connection with reconstruction of houses in rural areas would be a serious matter.