asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, having regard to the low earnings of agricultural labourers in County Donegal and other counties, as well as the necessity for the erection of more labourers' cottages, he will make provision in the proposals for legislation which he intends to introduce for subsidies for the local authorities in addition to long term loans, so as to bring the rentals within the capacity of the labourers to pay.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RENTS OF LABOURERS' COTTAGES.
The question of the provision of additional labourers' cottages in rural areas for letting at reasonable rents is receiving consideration.
Can the Minister not make any more definite statement in regard to the question, in view of the fact that this day week he made the definite statement that, as far as people who had money were concerned, they were going to get certain subsidies for their houses? In view of that, is the Minister not prepared to make a statement on the question of agricultural labourers' cottages.
I can add nothing on the general question, but as far as Co. Donegal, in which the Deputy is interested, is concerned, I have recommended to the Donegal Board of Health that they should go ahead with a scheme of fifty new cottages to replace unsanitary dwellings that exist in Donegal and in Milford. There will be grants to the extent of £80 a cottage available if they go ahead with that particular work.
In addition to a long term loan?
I cannot say anything about long term loans.
Does the Minister think that fifty cottages is enough, in view of the scarcity of cottages in Donegal? The people there do not.
I can add nothing on the general question except that it is under consideration.