asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction in the Kildare constituency arising from the delay in the certification of housing works for the payment of housing grants; what is the average period which elapses between notification by the applicant that the work is ready for inspection and the date of inspection; and if he will allot additional staff to clear up the arrears.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kildare Housing Grants.
60.
In common with other areas, difficulties encountered in keeping the Department's inspectorial staff up to strength have created arrears in the counties of Kildare and Carlow, which for inspection purposes are treated as a unit. In normal circumstances the average period which elapses between notification by the applicant that the work is ready for inspection and the date of inspection, is about four to five weeks. The average period at present is about 8 weeks. I am trying at present to widen the scope of the technical staff and I hope to increase the staff in the Kildare area at an early date.
Can the Minister say if he knows of any reason why his staff of inspectors is not up to the normal figure?
I think it is common knowledge that there appears to be a shortage of graduates emerging at the moment.
Is it that there seems to be a shortage of graduates or that the salaries are not satisfactory enough?
That represents the two points of view.
What does the Minister think?
I think possibly there may be a little of the two points of view in both.