asked the Minister for Local Government if any long-term scheme for the financing of local authority building is contemplated for the Dublin City area in order to avoid the recurrent crises in connection with the financing of Dublin Corporation building schemes and in order that the confidence of both operatives and master builders in continuing the building schemes may not be undermined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Financing of Building Schemes.
The Government has repeatedly given assurances that finance will not be permitted to hinder the provision of houses as long as the need remains. This may be taken to mean that all steps necessary to ensure continuity of operations will be taken and in the light of such assurances there is no reason why the confidence of either operatives or master builders in continuing the building schemes should be undermined.
Is the Minister aware that despite assurances given, on one occasion in the past and apparently on another occasion now, recurrent holds-up occurred and would he agree that the failure to announce some long-term scheme for the financing of housing operations by the local authorities is responsible for the difficulty in maintaining continuity in the building programme in Dublin City and County?
I am not so aware. The local authorities throughout the county and city have made their plans and preparations a good deal in advance of the submission of schemes. The requirements for local authority housing, other than those of the Dublin and Cork Corporations have been estimated as follows:—
January, 1950 to March, 1950:
|
£ |
|
|
Housing of the Working Classes |
600,000 |
|
Labourers Acts |
450,000 |
|
Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts |
480,000 |
For the period from 1st April, 1950, to 31st March, 1951, the figures are estimated as follows:—
|
£ |
|
|
Housing of the Working Classes Acts |
4,500,000 |
|
Labourers Acts |
4,000,000 |
|
Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts |
1,500,000 |
|
£10,000,000 |
Of course my question was referable to the city area only.
The £5,000,000 loan recently obtained by the Dublin Corporation is to be allocated as follows:—
|
£ |
|
|
Housing of the Working Classes |
3,934,385 |
|
Advances under Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts |
1,000,000 |
|
Other Purposes |
65,615 |
It has recently been stated in the newspapers that the amount of £1,000,000 allocated for the provision of loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts is exhausted and that at the March meeting of the city council a proposal from the finance committee will be considered that a further sum of £500,000 should be allocated for this purpose. This would have to come out of the amount allocated to the provision of houses for the working classes.
Does the Minister know if another such financial crisis is imminent?
It has not come to me officially.
Notices have been sent out in the case of the Dublin Corporation to applicants for loans that there is no more money available in that fund.
There will be no satisfaction in these matters until we take over control of credit in this country.