asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state, with regard to the provision of houses for the work ing classes in the City and County of Dublin, what is the average combined cost per house that has fallen on the ratepayer and taxpayer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Housing Costs.
If what is required is the average amount of the all-in cost of all houses provided by the Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council which is borne by the taxpayer and the ratepayer, I may say that the information would be most difficult to compile, and even when compiled the result would be of little value for the following reasons:—
Prior to 1922 there was practically no State aid for urban housing schemes. Between 1922 and 1932 varying rates of State subsidy for urban housing schemes were applicable and the effect of the State contribution by way of lump sum grants which varied throughout the ten-year period could not be given without reference to the cost of each scheme undertaken. Since 1932 State subsidy to urban housing undertaken by local authorities has been on a definite basis and is payable by way of contributions to annual loan charges over a period not exceeding 35 years. The position is also complicated by the fact that, during that period, the cost of building schemes varied. The Deputy will, therefore, realise that any attempt to assess the State contribution since 1922 on the basis of the average combined or all-in cost of housing would entail an amount of work which would not be justified by the expenditure of time and money involved. A somewhat similar position in regard to rural housing obtains except that a regular State contribution was introduced as early as 1906.
For the information of the Deputy I may say, however, that the revenue expenditure in Dublin City for the year ended the 31st March, 1942, in respect of schemes being subsidised under the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932, was £487,855, and this was apportioned as follows:—State, £132,585; Corporation, £108,948; tenant, £246,322. The corresponding figures for Dublin County were: £32,672; State, £11,987; county council, £2,599; tenant, £18,086. The number of houses provided in Dublin City and County under the provisions of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous) Act, 1932, were 11,008 and 1,202 respectively. The division of these figures into the total annual expenditure would not be a reliable guide as to annual cost of a house due to the fact that in some cases the annual outgoings would include capital and interest charges, and in the case of other houses only recently completed no provision would yet be included for repayment of capital, and no expenditure would have been incurred on maintenance.
Mr. Dockrell
The Minister has given me details which I am afraid I am not capable of digesting, but I can put the information I want, and which I have not got, into a sentence. I want to know what was the average cost of houses of that type on the ratepayers and taxpayers in Dublin City and County pre-war and at the present time?
That is not the question that the Deputy has on the Order Paper. His question was:
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state, with regard to the provision of houses for the working classes in the City and County of Dublin, what is the average combined cost per house that has fallen on the ratepayer and taxpayer.
I have given a lengthy reply which I think should satisfy the Deputy. It is not possible for me to give an accurate answer to the question.
Mr. Dockrell
The Minister is really combining many things that I did not intend to refer to. I want to know what is the loss to taxpayers and ratepayers per house pre-war and at present? Is that an unfair question?
It is not the question which the Deputy has on the Order Paper. There is no reference in the question to the pre-war or post-war periods. I have been at pains to give the Deputy a long reply which sets out the position fully. I have given a number of figures which he can make use of, but I have warned the Deputy of the pit-falls in using these figures.
Mr. Dockrell
The Minister's industry has been wonderful, but I submit that he has not answered my question.
The Deputy ought not to put questions which cannot be answered.