asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has intimated to the Council of Municipal Councils that the decision to pay subsidies on houses costing up to £350 will only operate as from September 15 last, and, if so, if he is aware how urban councils will be penalised who have been building continuously, from the commencement of the increase in building costs, up to the date above mentioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subsidies on Houses.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not agree that there are any grounds for the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question.
In order to give some encouragement to those who have been building continuously for the last year, could the Minister not see his way to recommend the Minister for Finance to pay the subsidy to those who occupy the houses after the date mentioned?
I do not think that local authorities in general have borne anything like the proportion that the national Exchequer has borne in regard to housing schemes; that is, taking into account that the subsidy has been up to September at the rate of 66?.
I am prepared to admit that, but does the Minister not realise that in order to keep houses at 3/- or 4/- a week, as in the case of a great many urban areas, municipalities have paid as much as £5 per house per year as a subsidy along with the Minister's subsidy; and in view of that, and the fact that in order to keep the same level of rent in various areas, it will be necessary for the local authorities further to subsidise housing schemes, will the Minister not see his way to increase the subsidy for people who are occupying houses after 30th September? The Minister knows quite well that under the present arrangement the increased subsidy will not be available sooner than 18 months or two years hence under his own scheme.
The subsidy will be paid from the 15th September.
For schemes sanctioned after the 15th September—is that not the position? That means that they will not be available earlier than 18 months at least. I desire to give notice that I will raise this matter on the adjournment.