asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state in respect of (a) County Leix and (b) County Offaly the number of housing grants made during the past 18 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leix-Offaly Housing Grants and Loans.
Ninety-four housing grants in respect of houses in Laoighis and 107 in Offaly were fully paid during the past 18 months.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state in respect of (a) County Leix and (b) County Offaly the number of applications received by the local authority in the past 18 months for housing loans, the number of such loans granted and the average percentage loan granted.
The number of applications for loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts received by the Laoighis County Council during the past 18 months was five; the number of loans granted was two; and the average percentage of the market value of premises advanced was 68 per cent. The corresponding figures for County Offaly were 11, 6 and 43 per cent. respectively.
It appears from the Minister's reply that, in County Offaly, the average percentage granted was as low as 43 per cent. Will the Minister not agree, in regard to the administration of that scheme in Offaly, that the giving of an average loan of less than 50 per cent. is not effectively putting the scheme into operation?
It seems abnormally low.