The time has come when there will have to be a proper show-down in respect of the tragic history of housing in this country. According to figures supplied by the Minister, there has been a cutting-down in relation to the housing of the working classes. In 1952-53, £2,658,000 was issued to local authorities from the Local Loans Fund for that purpose. The figure in respect of 1955-56 is £1,334,000. In 1952-53, the amount allocated for labourers' cottages was £3,087,000. In 1955-56, the figure was £1,894,000.
I turn now to the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Acts. In 1952-53, the amount of money for that purpose was £3,041,000. In 1955-56, the amount was £2,874,000.
That figure for 1955-56 included Dublin and Cork Corporations who hitherto had not access to the Local Loans Fund.
The people are sick and tired of being told by the Minister and Government members of local authorities that there is ample money available for housing. If the Minister said to members of local authorities and to the people of the country: "There is all you are getting; do the best you can with that," we would have to cut our cloth according to our measure. We would have to ration the money he was giving us. If he would say how much money we would get in a specified period, we would know how we would stand.
There are housing schemes in Limerick actually completed and the money has not been paid. If it had not been for the banks, I do not know how we would have carried on. We are up to the limit of our borrowing capacity and we can borrow no further. Unless the Minister deals not only with Limerick but with every case throughout the country, I think the industry is completely finished.
That is not necessarily my view on the matter. There are people who possibly have a lot more knowledge than I have who have dealt with these matters. The views of the joint negotiating committee of the building industry are interesting. They refer to a reply given by the Taoiseach to me in this House, in a letter of the 5th of this month to the Irish Independent and they said—and this is very far-reaching and I think you will agree it throws light on the position:—
"As the statement of An Taoiseach would appear to infer that representations have not been made by the building trade unions, we are obliged to point out that in anticipation of the situation then developing, representations were made some months back, by the joint negotiating committee, to An Taoiseach and assurances were then given which have not materialised. Since then a worsening of the employment situation has necessitated representation being made to An Tánaiste and Mr. Sweetman, Minister for Finance, the meeting taking place on September 25. The deputation was assured that their representations would receive the serious consideration of the Cabinet, and at the conclusion of the meeting an assurance was given that the joint negotiating committee would be informed of the outcome of the Cabinet discussions.
"As we did not receive a reply as promised by October 9, a further letter was sent on that day, expressing our surprise and regret. We concluded our letter by stating that we were obliged to report to our people and having informed them of the undertaking, we had to ask for an early reply indicating what steps the Cabinet had decided upon in relation to the employment of our people through the various Government Departments.
"The only response has been a formal acknowledgement of our communication from the secretary of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
"The joint negotiating committee is, therefore, obliged to make public this serious omission, as the statement made by An Taoiseach is misleading and completely overlooks the non-fulfilment of the undertakings referred to."
Then we have one of the most prominent members of the union directly concerned with the building industry saying to the Government that, unless they took steps, and immediate steps, the building industry was finished. We had the president of the Royal Institute of Architects—I think the Minister was present with the Taoiseach at their dinner—pointing out to the Minister the serious effects of the Government's policy on the building industry.
When I originally put down this question, I addressed it to the Taoiseach, for the Minister is concerned only with the housing of the people. For some reason, it was switched to the Minister for Local Government. I wished to deal with the building of schools and the building of other things, but I cannot now refer to them on this matter when I am speaking on a question to the Minister for Local Government. As I say, the main complaint that members of local authorities have, and the main complaint of people in the building trade, is that they are completely in the dark as to what the present position is and what the future holds. Let us not go into the reasons as to why sufficient money is not available; we can do that some other time. Let us accept the fact that there is only £x available for housing. Has the time not come for the Minister, before we break up for Christmas, to write to every local authority telling them exactly when their plans will be approved and when they can proceed with the work?
Surely the present position is not fair to the workers in the building industry? I am sure that the Minister does not like to see this emigration of skilled tradesmen, and of building labourers who are now leaving every week in hundreds. As a member of a local authority, I say that it is pitiful and the Minister must know it when he gets back to Donegal and people in the building industry say to him: "Is there any chance of a job to tide us over Christmas and then we will go to England?"
It is a fantastic situation and one which cannot continue much longer. It is a matter which is completely above political gain for any side of this House. As far as I am concerned, it is too serious to cloud the issue any more, too serious for the Minister to taunt the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Deputy Briscoe, about it. The livelihood of people is vitally concerned in this issue. The Minister asked me to give any specific cases on ordinary houses and cottages alone. As far back as last May, there were nearly 2,000 such houses awaiting sanction from the Minister's Department.
Various reasons have been given here for that—Clare County Council: 189 cottages; applied 16th August—"under consideration". The building industry in Clare, like everywhere else, is in a very serious plight. The figures which I have read out showing that there were 2,500 more unemployed now than last year simply indicate those who are drawing unemployment benefit. Just as many more have emigrated. Kildare County Council: 816 cottages; applied 19th December, 1955 —"further information required". Wexford County Council: 100 cottages, applied 2nd March, 1956—"further information required". What is the stock answer? "Under consideration", "Further information required", and the six other cases going back to the early part of this year.
Then we have the supplementary grants. There is nearly £200,000 lying in the Minister's Department. It makes one so sick to think that the Government will not face up to the issue and certainly even at this late stage I would have the greatest admiration for the Minister if he would agree to the suggestion that I have put. All that we want is for him to tell us the truth. We have not got the truth and I do not mean by that that the Minister has been telling us falsehoods, but the position has been shown in a false light and it is about time that a true statement on the housing position was given.
Deputy Major de Valera rose.
