asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether a tender has been accepted by the Clonmel Corporation for the erection of 18 houses, the total amount of the tender, the total building cost per house, the total all-in cost per house, the building cost per square foot and per cubic foot per house, the amount of grant to be paid to the corporation per house, the terms upon which money will be loaned to the corporation, and the proposed rent of the houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Housing Contract.
The Clonmel Corporation propose to accept the lowest tender for 18 houses to be erected in Delaney's field, the houses containing five rooms and bathroom. The amount of the tender is £17,564 8s. 3d. The building cost per house is £976, and the all-in cost is estimated at £1,008 per house. The loan for the carrying out of the scheme will be made available from the Local Loans Fund at 2½ per cent repayable over a period of 35 years. The floor area is 935 square feet and the cost per square foot is 21/-. I am in correspondence with the corporation as to the detailed cost per cubic foot of the houses and as to the rents proposed to be charged. When this information has been received I will be in a position to determine the amount of the special grant to be made from the Transition Development Fund in addition to the usual subsidy under the 1932 Act.
What is the usual subsidy under the 1932 Act?
Roughly one-third, if these are not clearance houses, and I do not think they are.
Will the Minister say whether in considering the additional grant that he is to give in addition to the subsidy it will be entirely related to the rent that will ultimately have to be charged?
Certainly it must be one of the factors taken into consideration, but, in view of the nature of the houses, I trust that the Deputy will agree that a reasonable rent must be charged, reasonable to the corporation as well as to the tenant.
Do I understand from the Minister that, in view of the grant arising out of the Transition Fund, the Department of Local Government will develop a rent policy?
That is quite a separate question.