asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the Louth County Council have failed to pay supplementary housing and reconstruction grants for as long as 18 months; and that the recent extra allocation of £10,000 is completely inadequate; and if he will review the position with a view to giving a further extra allocation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Louth Housing and Reconstruction Grants.
53.
I understand that supplementary grants have not been paid by the council for a considerable time, although a loan of £24,000 was sanctioned by me for this purpose on 6th June last; that no draw on this loan was sought by the council until early in August, apparently because of the bank strike; that the loan was issued in full on the 15th September and that arrangements are being made by the council for the immediate payment of arrears.
As regards the alleged inadequacy of the £10,000 supplementary allocation, the latest estimate of capital requirements submitted this month by the housing authority indicates that a total sum of £35,200 will be required for the payment of supplementary housing grants this financial year. Their allocation is £34,000 and they had a credit balance of £1,113 on their supplementary housing grant account at 31st March last.
Did the Minister take into account supplementary reconstruction grants, because he did not mention them?
I have taken into account anything that was relevant in giving the Deputy the fullest possible information in regard to the matter under discussion.
Is the Minister aware that the information provided to us in Louth County Council last Monday morning is in contradiction of what he has now told the House?
The total sum required is £35,200, and the amount of money given, between allocation and credit balance, comes to £35,187.
How much money did the Minister send down and when will he send more down?
I do not send money; I make the allocation.
When will the Board of Works send it down?
The Deputy should have taken note of something to which I want to draw his attention. The allocation of £24,000 was made in June last and it was not even asked for by way of instalment until August.
The Minister mentioned the reason, the bank strike.
I was being charitable.
There was no means of getting money until after the bank strike.
They could have made a request.
A lot of requests have been made which have not been attended to.