asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware (1) that in February, 1951, the Cork Corporation leased sites at Friars Walk, Cork, outside the county borough, to persons for building their own houses, and that building proceeded forthwith; (2) that applications for loans were made to the county council and approval was given by that body, subject to the title being in order; (3) that leases were given to applicants in November, 1951, and that original leases were not endorsed by his Department until late in January, 1952; and (4) that the county council are advised that the corporation had not legal authority to acquire the lands for the purpose of making those leases and now refuse the loans; and, if this is so, whether, in view of the fact that these houses are practically ready for occupation and that the builders are threatened with legal proceedings by their suppliers, and applicants are unable to pay, and in view of the fact that this area is included in the proposed extension of the borough boundary and agreed to by the county council, he will now ask the corporation to pay these loans, and provide retrospective provisions in the new Housing Bill which is shortly to be introduced, to deal with the payment of such loans by the corporation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Housing Loans.
I understand that, in general, the position is as stated by the Deputy.
I am informed that the matter has been the subject of legal opinion locally which raises doubts as to the powers under existing law of the Cork Corporation to acquire sites for leasing outside their existing boundaries. In these circumstances I could not require the appropriate local authority, which is the county council, to make loans in the case referred to pending clarification of the legal position. Action on the lines suggested in the concluding part of the Deputy's question is being considered.
Is the Minister aware that those people got the sites in February, 1951; that they went ahead with the building; that they did not get the leases until November and that the leases were not endorsed in the Minister's Department until the 24th February? The people who leased those houses are anxious about the matter and the houses are ready for occupation. The builders are being taken into court. Could not the Minister request one of the local authorities to advance this loan and make provision in the new Housing Bill? Surely that would not be impossible.
In view of the fact that this land is to be taken over by the Cork Corporation, will the Minister make representations to the Cork Corporation manager to give the loans?
That is what I asked in the question. The Deputy should not be so stupid. When am I going to get the reply?
Now that the Cork Deputies have had their say, I can only repeat what I have already said. I understand that this is a complicated matter. All I can do is to repeat the assurance I have given, that the matter is being examined by us with a view to seeing whether a way can be found to help those people.
Will the Minister treat the matter as urgent?
Every serious matter is so treated.