asked the Minister for Local Government when he will sanction the acceptance of tenders for the erection of cottages under the Waterford County Council's cottage scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Cottage Scheme.
The Waterford County Council is aware that the tenders obtained last July were altogether excessive by reference to current costs for similar cottages in adjoining counties and that there can be no question of my giving sanction to them. As this was the second occasion on which the cottages were advertised for tender, the general question of securing a reasonable level of building costs had to be taken up with the county council. Discussions have been proceeding between officers of the Department and of the council and a further conference has been arranged for to-morrow.
Would the Minister feel it is undesirable to communicate the approximate amount of the figure he thought excessive?
A couple of hundred pounds.
What would be the percentage for a cottage?
About 20 per cent.