asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the increased costs involved in the building and reconstruction of houses at the present time, and that only 68 new houses were built in Cavan in 1964 and 370 were reconstructed, while 1,350 are urgently in need of reconstruction in the county; and if he will consider doubling the reconstruction grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan Housing Grants.
22.
I am aware of the increased costs involved in the building and reconstruction of houses at the present time.
According to my Department's records, 104 new house grants and 341 reconstruction grants were paid in respect of completed works in Cavan in the calendar year 1964. The figure of 1,350 houses stated by the Deputy to be urgently in need of reconstruction in County Cavan is less than half the total number of reconstruction grants allocated in the county over the sixyear period 1958-59 to 1963-64. The number of reconstruction grants allocated in Cavan in the year 1963-64 was 451, and the average annual allocation in the county for the past six years was 460. While I agree that both the rate of construction of new houses and reconstruction of existing houses could be stepped up in Cavan, the demand for all types of housing grants is at a record level generally. These circumstances do not indicate that an increase in the grants is necessary.
Is the Minister aware that the cost of materials both for building new houses and for reconstruction has gone up considerably in the past two years and, in view of that fact, will he not consider improving the grants?
I have already indicated to the Deputy the general background and it is the case that the reconstruction grants were increased somewhat not so very long ago.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government why he has not accepted the unanimous request of the Cavan County Council that he receive a deputation with regard to housing grants in general in County Cavan; and if he is prepared to reconsider his decision.
The request for a deputation has not been refused. I would, however, refer the Deputy to my reply today to his question No. 22 in which I intimated that there is no case at present for altering the existing rates of grants applicable to works of reconstruction. The position as outlined in that reply was fully explained to the Cavan County Council in my Department's letter of 30th July last.
In November a copy of the White Paper which outlines the Government's proposals for housing legislation and for the carrying out of local authority programmes was sent to every local authority including the Cavan County Council and they were at the same time invited to furnish observations on the proposals. No observations were received from the Cavan County Council. I intend to remind the Council of my invitation and to inform them that if I receive any observations which can usefully be discussed with them I would be prepared to make the necessary arrangements.
Is the Minister aware that on 7th July last Cavan County Council unanimously requested the Minister to receive a deputation and that since that the Minister has not had the courtesy even to reply?
The discourtesy, if any has arisen, seems to have been mutual, from what I have already mentioned to the Deputy. I would remind the Deputy also that this gambit that apparently is being adopted—I cannot describe it as anything else—in Cavan County Council of refusing on two or three occasions in the past 12 months to adopt the supplementary scale for small farmers' new housing on the plea that they also in Cavan wish to have higher supplementary grants does not ring very true to me.