asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state specifically (a) the reasons why Mr. Bernard Barry, Ballyea, Maurice's Mills, County Clare, has been refused a building licence for the purpose of reconstructing his dwellinghouse; and (b) whether his decision in that particular case governs all similar applications for licences or, if it does not, when the necessary permission will be granted to all such applicants to enable them to commence building operations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Building Licence.
The issue of the building licence for which Mr. Bernard Barry, Ballyea, Maurice's Mills, County Clare, has applied has been deferred because in the field of house-building, priority in the issue of licences is given to applications from local authorities and from persons who wish to build houses of a type for which subsidies may be obtained under the Housing Acts. Subject to this, all applications are dealt with in the order of the date of their receipt.
I am at present considering the possibility of according a measure of priority for essential repairs and reconstruction work in the case of dwellinghouses. If this proves possible, the application made by Mr. Barry will be reviewed.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what provision people who do not normally live in houses covered by the provisions of the Housing Act can make for their families if they are not going to be allowed to build for them?
They can make the same provision that they could make when Fianna Fáil were in office. They are getting the same consideration. We have also taken steps to import certain quantities of cement. Some has arrived already and steps are being taken to get further imports. If they materialise the position should be greatly eased.
Am I to take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that reconstruction applications from rural areas will all have to be considered after provision has been made for housing in urban areas? In other words, is housing in urban areas to secure complete priority over the demands of rural dwellers for reconstruction?
There is no mention in my reply of any discrimination between urban and rural areas.
I have asked the Parliamentary Secretary a question. I understood him to say that this matter was being considered, that priority was being given to housing under local authorities. Could he answer my question as to whether such priority will mean that applications for reconstruction grants will have to be deferred until the needs of local authorities are met?
Local authorities in rural areas have the same priority as local authorities in urban areas.
I am not asking the question with reference to local authorities. Perhaps I am not making myself clear. Are we to take it that the application of an individual rural dweller for a reconstruction grant will have to be deferred or will the Parliamentary Secretary state that in whatever arrangements he is making for priority rural dwellers seeking such grants as individuals will receive fair consideration?
There is no differentiation between urban and rural dwellers who apply individually for building licences. The system of priority which is now in operation has been in operation for a considerable time. Absolute priority is given to local authorities either in urban or rural areas. There is no differentiation between them. After that, subsidy houses are given preference and, finally, whatever cement or other building materials are available are granted in accordance with the applications as they come in.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if it is possible for a private person, about to reconstruct a house for himself and his family or erect a new house, to get a permit for the purchase of a quantity of cement and other material?
Absolutely; but there is a delay, of course, and I suppose the Deputy is aware of that. Those looking for supplies must take their place in the queue the same as everyone else, but a person in a rural area has the same right to building materials as a person in an urban area.
And permits in those cases will be granted?
Yes.
The Parliamentary Secretary has not answered the question at all.
Maybe the answer does not suit the Deputy.