asked the Minister for Local Government if his ruling in favour of South Tipperary County Council who had disagreed with a decision of the county manager in refusing a supplementary housing grant to a farmer applicant on the grounds that the family earnings, as well as the farm valuation, should be taken into account in assessing applicants' means, will apply to all local authorities who have adopted supplementary housing grants schemes; and, if so, if he will notify Donegal County Manager that the earnings of migratory labourers, who are also small farmers, and of their families should not be considered in assessing means of applicants for supplementary housing grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplementary Housing Grants.
58.
I did not give a ruling to the housing authority named, or to any housing authority, in regard to the eligibility of an applicant for a supplementary housing grant. The housing authority sought my opinion as to whether the application of a person who, in their opinion, came within the statutory definition of a farmer but who had a secondary source of income, should be considered under the terms of Section 9 or Section 10 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, of 1952. In response to the housing authority's request, I expressed the opinion that if, as seemed to be the case, the applicant derived his livelihood mainly from the pursuit of agriculture, his application should be dealt with under Section 9.