asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that grave hardship is being caused to people who buy houses in the fringe area of Dublin City because of the differences that exist in the case of Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council as regards the qualifications required in order to qualify for supplementary housing grants, and, if so, if he will make representations to these local authorities to have this matter satisfactorily settled.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplementary Housing Grants.
I am not aware of the circumstances referred to by the Deputy. The qualifications in regard to supplementary housing grants are set out in the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1952, and the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1954. My Department has had some correspondence with the Dublin Corporation in regard to the interpretation of one of these provisions and I understand that the matter is to be considered again by the corporation housing committee next week.
Is the Minister aware that the conditions of qualification for supplementary grants are altogether different in the Dublin County Council from the Dublin Corporation?
The difference in qualification referred to by the Deputy probably relates to grants under Section 11 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1952, as amended by Section 11 of the Housing Act, 1954. Section 11 of the Housing Act of 1952, as amended, reads as follows:—
"A housing authority may make, to or in respect of a person (other than a farmer or a person to whom a grant is made under Section 10 of this Act) in respect of a house (whether situate within or outside the functional area of the authority) for which a relevant grant is made, a grant of an amount not exceeding 50 per cent. of the relevant grant, if
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(b) he is accepted by the authority as eligible for selection as a tenant of a dwelling provided, other than by virtue of Section 31 or Section 35 of this Act, by a housing authority under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts or the Labourers Acts."
I understand that the local authorities have sought and obtained the advice of their legal advisers and counsel as to the interpretation of these sections, but I am not aware of what the Deputy has asked in the supplementary question.
It is very difficult for me to be aware of what the Minister said. If he makes inquiries from the Dublin County Council and the Dublin Corporation he will find that the substance of my question is actually a fact.