asked the Minister for Local Government why it is that the amount of the grant payable to the Listowel Urban District Council for the proposed erection of ten houses cannot be determined until the council has first contributed a substantial sum and if he will state whether this condition is a precedent for universal application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Listowel Housing.
Mr. Murphy
The allocation of a grant from the Transition Development Fund to a local authority in respect of a housing scheme is conditional on the making of a reasonable contribution by the authority concerned towards the cost of the scheme. Applications for grants, therefore, must be accompanied by statements setting out the proposed rents and the annual contributions to be made from the rates towards the cost of the scheme.
This condition applies to all housing authorities and was set out in a circular letter issued to local authorities on the 25th November, 1946, on the subject of grants from the Transition Development Fund.
Will the Minister say who will determine what a reasonable sum will be?
Mr. Murphy
I take it that has been done quite successfully between the local authority and the Department. It is a matter for the local authority to put up proposals.