asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state the number of Utility Societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts to which grants have been made under Part II of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932; the number of houses in respect of which grants were made and the total sum so advanced; the average selling price (a) in urban areas; and (b) in rural areas of the houses in respect of which the grants were made; further whether he is aware that a number of Utility Societies, having abandoned their co-operative characteristics, are earning substantial profits for individual promoters; that the advantages of the grants payable to such societies are not passed on to the occupiers of the houses built by them and whether it is his intention to take steps to secure that the advantages conferred by the State on Utility Societies will be passed on to the individual citizens for whom they were originally intended.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Utility Societies and Housing.
The number of Utility Societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts to which grants have been made under Part II of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932, is 106. The number of houses in respect of which grants were made and the total sum advanced are 2,159 and £144,713 respectively.
I have no information as to the average selling prices of the houses, nor am I aware that these societies are earning substantial profits for individual promoters. I shall be glad to receive any information in the Deputy's possession so that I may have investigations made.
If the Minister receives the information will he take any action that may be necessary so that these persons will not use the State money and deprive the people of the benefit to which they are entitled?
I have no doubt that if the information is furnished to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health he will take suitable action in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that in some of these cases complaint was made to the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the Registrar pointed out that unless he received a complaint from ten members he would be unable to investigate the complaint?
Will the Minister say if the Housing Board have made any endeavour to get any information on the points mentioned by Deputy Everett?
I am sure that the Housing Board has the matter under consideration.
Is the Minister not aware that the Housing Board is in existence for quite a long time? Have they taken any action to inquire into this matter up to the present, or how long are the Housing Board going to have this matter under consideration without taking any action or making inquiries?
There are several separate questions there.