asked the Minister for Local Government what decisions have been reached by the Government with a view to alleviating the chaotic condition of the house building industry, and if he will give particulars of such decisions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Building Industry.
I do not accept the implications in the Deputy's question. There has been no change in the Government's policy on housing finance as indicated in my reply to the Deputy's question on the 2nd May last.
Is the Minister aware that, compared with the same period in 1954, there are over 2,500 more people unemployed in the building industry? Further, is the Minister aware that the payments to the Local Loans Fund in the financial year ending 31st March, 1953, totalled £10,205,000 and up to 30th December of this financial year totalled £3,792,000, of which some £2,690,000 was for housing? Is the Minister further aware that the number of local authority houses under construction on 1st October, 1953, and those under construction on the latest available date, 1st September, 1956, shows a drop of nearly 1,000?
I am aware that there has been a drop of 3.9 per cent. in local authority housing in the past 12 months. Deputies should bear in mind that some day, please God, we will reach saturation point in the building of houses. It is a good thing that we are now reaching saturation point and that there is a tapering off. To assist people who wish to acquire their own houses and are unable to do so, £150,000 has been made available by the Government within the past week for allocation in loans under the Small Dwellings Acts.
It is only a drop in the ocean.
Some drop—£150,000. That is the mentality of Fianna Fáil. We consider £150,000 a considerable sum.
We are waiting in Limerick for £40,000, which we will never see. Is the Minister aware that, on a document he gave me, at least 50 local authorities in this State are awaiting approval by the Minister in order to proceed with their housing programmes, and in nearly every case, when I ask the Minister to give me the position, this is the position: "Information requested, plans not approved, matter under consideration." Nearly everything is "under consideration" and some of the matters have been "under consideration" for well over a year. Surely that does not indicate that the Minister is very anxious to promote the building of houses in the State.
If the Deputy wishes to pinpoint any particular project and ask me a question on it, I feel certain that I will be able to satisfy him without delay.
Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I give notice that, with your permission, Sir, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
Is the Minister aware that housing schemes submitted to his Department are being held up unduly and being examined individually, obviously for the sole purpose of putting on the long finger the necessary building and expenditure of money which is not being provided?
The Deputy will appreciate that it is very easy to make these sweeping statements, but, if the Deputy will pick out any particular project and put down a question—so far as I recollect, the Deputy has not addressed any such question to me over the past two and a half years about a delay in any project in which he is interested—I can assure him I will give him an answer which will satisfy him.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question 43.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question No. 43.