asked the Minister for Local Government if grants are still being paid to members of the NFA who have not paid their rates.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants to NFA Members.
9.
asked the Minister for Local Government if county managers have been instructed not to pay grants to members of the NFA who have not paid their rates.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
It is assumed the Deputy is referring to grants under the Housing Acts. My Department has no knowledge as to the membership of the NFA. As I explained last week, where there is evidence of an illegal no-rates campaign by the NFA the inquiries which are now being made as to whether particular applicants for grants have paid their rates will almost inevitably result in delays in the payment of grants in certain cases. Supplementary grants may not be made until the relevant State grant has been paid. Local authorities have adequate statutory powers to deduct outstanding rates from supplementary grants payable by them. The question of an instruction to county managers in this regard does not therefore arise.
Did the county managers not receive instructions not to pay grants?
They did not have to get instructions.
If this line of action is to be adhered to, we will soon reach the stage where, if a person does not take out a driver's licence, he will not get a grant.
The Parliamentary Secretary referred to the campaign as an illegal rates campaign. Is it, in fact, an illegal campaign?
Of course it is illegal not to pay your rates.
That matter does not arise.