asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that grave dissatisfaction is caused by (a) the delay in making payment of loans under the Small Dwellings Acts; (b) the delay in issuing provisional valuations to intending purchasers, and (c) the instability of valuations for loan purposes, and whether he will make a statement on these matters, indicating the periods it should be necessary for applicants to wait (a) before receiving payment of a loan, and (b) before receiving notice of provisional valuations made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Small Dwellings Acts Loans.
I am not aware that there is any basis for general dissatisfaction in this matter. The administration of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts is entirely a matter for the responsible local authorities. I could not, therefore, intervene to suggest a particular standard of progress in dealing with loan applications as it is for the local authority concerned to determine in each case the period within which it can achieve compliance with statutory requirements and duly safeguard the funds for which it is accountable to the ratepayers. The nature of the administration of the Acts does not, therefore, admit of a general reply to the concluding portions of the Deputy's question, and neither, I suggest, does it permit of my dealing by way of parliamentary question and reply with particular cases, often involving questions of title, solvency, etc., which should be treated as confidential and for the determination of which the local authority and not the Minister is responsible. I would, therefore, suggest that where information on matters of this kind is required by a Deputy, he might address his questions to the local authority concerned.
Is the Minister aware that at present there is a delay of three to four months in the payments of grants and small dwellings loans? Is he further aware that there is also a three to four months' delay in getting provisional valuation?
The matter is for the local authority. The information I have before me indicates that they have been reasonably dealt with in County Dublin to which, I presume, the Deputy is referring. It is a matter for the local authority.