asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will have inquiry made into the hardship caused by the inability of labourers in Kerry to secure loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts in addition to the grants made available under the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts, 1932 to 1937, to enable them to build houses on plots purchased by themselves for the purpose; and if he will renew his sanction to bring into operation the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts in Kerry to facilitate the erection of dwellings in such cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loans to Kerry Labourers.
An inquiry of the nature referred to would not serve any useful purpose. The suspension of the issue of further loans to the Kerry County Council for the purposes of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts was rendered necessary by the failure of the council to secure the prompt discharge of their liabilities by persons to whom advances under the Acts had been made. Despite warnings to the council the position has grown worse since 1936 both as regards percentage of borrowers in arrear and percentage of amount in arrear.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I wish to ask if he will say why he is penalising good paying local authorities, like the Dublin County Council and the Dublin Corporation, because of the default of Kerry?
The local authorities do not pay.
I submit that the local authorities do pay to the Local Loans Fund.