asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that considerable hardship is caused because of the delay in the payment of grants to applicants who have built or reconstructed dwellinghouses; and, if so, whether he will ensure that these payments will be made more quickly in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Grants.
I am aware there has been some delay in the payment of housing grants to private persons. There is an interval necessary for the examination of applications, for correspondence, inspections, checking of claims, and so on. Besides this, there were at the outset difficulties attending the inauguration of an entirely new scheme of grants, and in dealing with the numerous applications and inquiries, both written and oral, which the scheme called forth. The staff of the housing section of the Department has recently been enlarged to cope with the increased number of applications. When the new scheme is working smoothly the time necessary to deal with the individual applications will, I anticipate, be reduced to the minimum consistent with the care necessary in making payments from public moneys.
May I ask if the Parliamentary Secretary has considered the point made on the Estimate for his Minister's Department— that a solicitor's certificate as to title should be accepted?
I am not aware of the position in that respect yet.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary look into this matter?
I shall.
Is it not a fact that the staff dealing with applications for rural housing and reconstruction has been much reduced in recent months?
No, it has not been reduced.
My personal experience does not seem to fit in with that statement.
There is no evidence that it has been reduced.