asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that a building society has recently issued a statement to the effect that it will be unable to operate the guarantee scheme for loans for private housing in areas outside the county boroughs of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway; and if, in view of the fact that loans under the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Acts have been curtailed and are restricted to certain classes, he will state what steps he is taking, or has taken, to cater for persons desirous of building their own houses outside the county boroughs mentioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Housing Loan Guarantees.
I have seen Press reports of the statement to which the Deputy refers.
The applicants to whom local authorities have been asked to confine advances under the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Acts are those who could not reasonably be expected to finance the provision of their houses otherwise than with the aid of such facilities. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.