asked the Minister for Local Government the number of applications for housing loans received by Dublin Corporation from 31st October, 1965 to date, the number of applications approved, and the total amount of money loaned in the same period.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Housing Loans.
21.
The information requested is not available in my Department.
Is there no possibility of having this information made available about the number of applications for loans?
It is a matter that is dealt with by the corporation.
But is should not be too difficult to get that information?
It is not available at the moment.
The answer should have been that there is no money in Dublin Corporation for housing loans and the Parliamentary Secretary is trying to hedge on the answer.
Or in any corporation. We are bankrupt in Limerick, organising flag days and jumble sales.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that the information Deputy O'Connell has asked for is not available now in the Department or that it cannot be got?
I did not say it could not be got.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not say that if a Deputy puts down a question seeking information which is not available in the Department but which can be obtained, then it is the duty of the Department officials to see that the information is made available to the House?
As in the case of Deputy Cluskey, I shall tell the Minister the Deputies are interested in getting this information.
Deputy O'Connell informed the Minister four days ago about this when he put down the question.
We may be able to get the answer.