asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will indicate to the House for the benefit of local authorities, who are now preparing their estimates for next year, what amendments he proposes to the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1950, particularly in regard to Sections 7 and 8.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing (Amendment) Act, 1950.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, in view of the fact that under the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1950, Section 6 (1) (a), grants are payable to persons purchasing a house completed on or before 1st April, 1952, his intentions regarding housing grants for houses completed after that date, if he has had any consultations with the Minister for Finance regarding the amount of public money which will be available for housing grants after that date and when it is intended to introduce proposals for a Housing (Amendment) Bill and, further, if he is aware that there is an uncertainty amongst builders at the moment as to the position following the expiration of the financial provisions of the present Act; and, if so, if he will make a statement outlining future policy.
I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
I am not in a position to indicate in advance of the introduction of the appropriate Bill the specific amendments of the Housing Acts which are contemplated. As expenditure under such legislation is of a capital nature, the matter has no close bearing on local estimates for the coming year. As regards the suggested uncertainty amongst builders, I have already intimated in reply to Deputy O'Higgins' question on the 11th instant that no major changes in the existing system of housing finances need be anticipated.
Has the Minister not already indicated to certain individuals in this House his intentions in respect of this amending legislation, and does he not realise that local authorities, when making their estimates for the coming year, must make provision for a certain amount of money if Sections 7 and 8 of the Housing (Amendment) Act are to be given effect to?
The Deputy, of course, will appreciate that while I can give a general assurance, as I did to a question the other day, that State grants will not be materially altered, I naturally cannot, prior to the introduction of the amending legislation, actually state in every detail what changes or alterations will be made.
In a report of the Limerick Housing Committee which was before the Cork County Council, we were told that they had it from the Minister that there was going to be a substantial alteration in the Act as far as Sections 7 and 8 are concerned.
I cannot control what Deputy Lehane or any other individual may chance to forecast as to what the forthcoming amending Bill will contain. What I gave to the House, and what I think the people who are interested should know, is that I stated on a number of occasions that no serious or violent changes will be made as far as State grants are concerned.