asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the urgent demand for housing accommodation by persons unable to provide houses for themselves, he will consider initiating discussions with representatives of the building industry and of the trade unions with a view to adopting new building techniques or other measures designed to speed up the erection of houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Houses.
54.
I would welcome any developments in building techniques and methods which would assist to satisfy housing needs more efficiently, economically and quickly. I have indicated this in recent public statements. Section 7 of the Housing (Loans and Grants) Act, 1962, empowers me to pay a grant of 50 per cent. of the cost of erecting prototype or experimental houses to standards and specifications and by methods not previously in use. I hope that this provision will encourage the industry to take the initiative in experiments in new techniques. Any proposals of this kind submitted to my Department will receive careful and sympathetic consideration. In the meantime, my Department is keeping in touch with the development of new techniques such as "system building" and various systems of prefabrication.