asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Donegal County Council in assessing the gross family income of applicants for grants under the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1952, take into account the foreign earnings of members of applicants' families who no longer contribute to the family income and thereby exclude such applicants from deriving the full benefits of the grants to which they are entitled under the Act; and, if so, if he will issue an immediate directive to the county council to desist from so calculating gross family income.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Family Incomes of Housing Applicants.
I am not so aware. As I indicated recently in reply to the debate on the Second Reading of the Housing Bill, the assessment of family income in accordance with sub-section (2) of Section 10 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1952, is a matter for the housing authority concerned. I have no power to issue a directive as suggested in the second part of the question.
Is the Minister aware that applicants for grants have sworn affidavits as to their means? These affidavits are duly sworn before a commissioner for oaths, but despite the fact that these solemn documents are presented to county managers the word of an investigation officer is taken in preference; and a number of genuine applicants are being deprived of these grants on that account.
The type of evidence to be accepted freely by a county manager is surely a matter for the county manager himself. Naturally, I could not express any opinion as to whether the manager was justified in refusing to accept without question or further investigation evidence such as that to which the Deputy has referred.
If an affidavit is required from the applicant, surely there should be at least an answering affidavit by the investigating officer? He is acting merely on local gossip.
I have no power to interfere with his discretion in that matter. His function is to see that those to whom grants are paid are entitled to receive them on the conditions set out.
A recommendation from the Minister would meet that.
Did the Minister receive in the recent past from the Donegal County Council and county manager proposals which were drawn up at a recent meeting of the county council which would prove a remedy for the situation outlined in Deputy O'Donnell's question?
I have received these proposals but my reply to them is exactly the same as my reply to the question I have just answered—the matter of determination of family income is entirely one for the council and neither the Donegal County Council nor any other council will receive from me what I have no right to offer, a directive in the matter.
The manager says that the Auditor-General will come down on him if he adopts the proposals which have been suggested. That is why we were trying to get it from the Minister.
I have no control over the auditors or what they may do.
A direction from the Minister would go a long way towards easing the mind of the county manager.
The county manager ought to stand up for himself.