asked the Minister for Local Government if in view of his intention to make adjustments in relation to loans and grants he will now make an order to (a) increase income limits for eligibility for loans and grants, and (b) fix upper limits of loans available to applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Loans and Grants.
9.
As regards local authority house-purchase loans, amending regulations were made on the 28th June bringing into operation the increased loan limits announced by me on the 15th June. The new income limit announced at the same time, which is fixed administratively, was officially notified to the housing authorities on the 18th June.
Provision for the revised income limit for supplementary new house grants in incorporated in the Housing Bill which is at present before this House. It is proposed in the Bill to enable the new limit to be operated as from 1st July, 1965. It will be a matter for each housing authority to decide to what extent and from what date they will operate the new limit.
Can the Minister say whether in fact he has made an order, or is he in a position to make an order, in relation to the upper limit of income for eligibility purposes? I have a copy of the order in relation to the upper limit in respect of loans, but I was not aware that he had made an order in respect of income limits. Can the Minister by order increase income limits?
The new income limits I announced have been fixed administratively and do not require an order. That was done on 18th June and the local authorities were notified.
May I further ask the Minister if allowances for dependants can be taken into consideration in the same way administratively, or can it be done by Ministerial order, or must we await the legislation?
I have answered the first part of the question relating to loans. I think the matter which the Deputy is now inquiring about is the provision in the Housing Bill whereby the limit to qualify for supplementary grants has gone up from £832 to £1,045, plus £100 for each dependant, up to an additional £400. That is before the House now in the Bill. So far as the operation of the scheme under these new terms is concerned, it is proposed to make it permissible for the councils to operate it as from first of July last. All of the income limits, including dependants' allowances, will be taken into account if the local authorities think fit.
10.
asked the Minister for Local Government if there is sufficient money available to his Department for the payment of housing grants; and if he is aware of the protracted delay in dealing with applications and payments where the work has been passed as satisfactory.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not aware that protracted delays occur at present in dealing with housing grant applications and payments. Grant administration work in the Sligo-Leitrim area is up to date.