asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that the scheme under the Labourers Acts undertaken by the Athlone No. 1 Rural District Council in April, 1914, was to comprise 37 houses, of which 14 were built at an average cost of £145, and whether, seeing that the average cost of erecting a cottage is now about £330 (£185 more than the cost in 1914), and that of the loan granted under the Act for the project, viz., £6,290, the amount received was £2,850, thus leaving £3,440 due, he will see that the extra money required to meet the increased cost of building, in addition to this £3,440, will be granted to enable the County Board of Health now to complete the original scheme; and if he is further aware that the land required for the erecting of the cottages mentioned was purchased by the Council, and has since been let as plots to agricultural labourers; that in reply to a similar question on the 18th October, 1922, the then Minister said that the Government policy as regards the resumption of rural housing was receiving consideration.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RURAL HOUSING SCHEMES.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
With regard to the second part. I am not in a position to sanction a loan from State sources for the purpose of providing labourers' cottages, but I am prepared to sanction a loan to be obtained from the Westmeath County Council's treasurer for the purpose of erecting such of the remaining cottages as are urgently required, and I so informed the Westmeath Board of Health and Public Assistance on the 8th ultimo.
The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative.
With regard to the fourth part of the question, local authorities erecting labourers' cottages are entitled to receive grants under the Housing Acts of £60, £80 and £100 for three, four, and five-roomed cottages, respectively.