asked the Minister for Local Government why he will not sanction Wexford County Council's proposals to raise a loan of £20,000 to carry out pre-vesting repairs on cottages in County Wexford.
8.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Housing.
7.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the arrears in the repair of houses in the town of Wexford under the jurisdiction of the Wexford Corporation; and, if so, if he will make funds available to bring the repair up to date.
9.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the lack of availability of funds to repair houses owned by the local authority in Gorey, County Wexford; and if he will make funds available for the repair of these houses.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8 and 9 together.
In view of the desirability of using available capital for the erection of houses for those who need them, I notified Wexford County Council on 16th June last that I was not disposed to approve of their application for a loan of £20,000 to meet the cost of cottage repairs—which is properly a charge on current revenue for which the council, like other authorities, are expected to provide in their current budget.
In regard to the houses in Wexford borough and Gorey town, the repair of houses owned by a local authority is primarily a matter for the authority and the tenant, subject to the terms of the letting agreement. I have no funds at my disposal for the purpose. I understand that there is, at present, a delay on the part of these two authorities in carrying out general repair works to their dwellings, due to the necessity to execute works in connection with applications recently received by them for the purchase of dwellings by tenants.
Although the Minister has no funds available, does he not consider it desirable to let them borrow the necessary funds so that this heavy backlog which exists will be cleared?
No. This is properly work for current expenditure, the same as applies to every other local authority. I need all the capital funds I can get for the building of new houses.
There have been various remarks made by the Minister for Finance recently that the credit restrictions are no longer in force.
That is correct. There is now money available for all applications to me for new houses but the position is not such that we can take over the responsibility of local authorities in this regard.
Would the Minister not agree that it is pointless to build new houses at the expense of old houses which will be allowed to fall down for want of repair?
I agree. Wexford County Council should fulfil their responsibility the same as every other county council.
(Cavan): Would the Minister agree that there are many precedents for sanctioning loans in cases where there is a major repair scheme to be carried out?
This has been done in the past but I have had applications for a total of £112,000 for this purpose. As I said, all the money of this nature that is available to me is needed for new houses.
Does the Minister further agree that this is not peculiar alone to Wexford, that the same problem is facing Donegal Council? With a Fianna Fáil majority, the council are in the dilemma of either having to increase rates beyond the capacity of the people to pay or letting the houses fall into disrepair. Is this not the plain truth of the matter? You are neglecting your responsibility.
This is properly a charge on current revenue.
As Minister for Local Government, you are falling down on your job.
Wexford County Council should do their work the same as any other county council.
Question No. 10. I have allowed six or seven supplementaries on this question.