andMr. J. Lynch asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that numerous applications for reconstruction grants are held up due to the delay in issuing regulations under the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1954, and if he will state when these regulations will be circulated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing (Amendment) Act, 1954.
I hope to have regulations under Section 12 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1954, made at an early date. In the meantime, the printing of the forms to be prescribed in the regulations is proceeding.
Is the Minister aware that applications for reconstruction grants that were made long before the introduction of the Bill are being held up awaiting the regulations?
The Housing (Amendment) Act, 1954 became law on the 27th April, 1954. Since then, there are approximately 400 applications for reconstruction grants which have not been dealt with pending the printing of forms and the making of regulations. About 90 of these are in County Cork. Straightforward applications under Section 16 of the 1948 Act are not affected but applications which formerly would have been ineligible for grant or would have been first considered by the local authorities are at present before the Department and cannot be disposed of until the prescribed forms are available. Draft regulations were prepared and sent to the Department of Finance on 30th June for the approval of the Minister for Finance. All this arises out of making law without having made some provision to deal with it.
Arising out of that——
Question No. 36.