asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give particulars of the restrictions imposed by the Dublin County Council in connection with advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts; if he will state the headings under which 480 persons, who made their applications in good faith and entered into commitments with building contractors, were refused loans; and whether it is proposed to review such restrictions with a view to permitting the grant of loans to the applicants in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Small Dwellings Loans.
I understand that the Dublin County Council are restricting advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts to persons whose incomes do not exceed £624 per annum and who propose to acquire new houses the gross purchase price of which does not exceed £2,000. I have not been furnished with the details referred to in the second part of the Deputy's question. Any review of the restrictions referred to is a matter for the local authority.
Is the Minister aware that there are 480 applicants in County Dublin who cannot be provided with housing loans as a result of the Minister's statement? Is the Minister further aware that there are a number of contractors who entered into contracts with the applicants and who now find themselves unable to get any money? In view of this distressing situation, will the Minister consider doing something about it and not put it over on the local authority?
If the Deputy made that speech to the local authority, I could understand it. It is a matter entirely between the local authority and the applicants.
Answer me "yes" or "no."
Question No. 46. I will allow only one supplementary until questions are concluded.
All I want is "yes" or "no."