asked the Minister for Local Government if in view of the recent Report of the Federation of Builders, Contractors and Allied Employers of Ireland that during the past year hotel, office and shop building increased by almost double the increase in house building, he will take steps to give priority to housing while the present housing crisis exists.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Priority for House Building.
39.
As the Deputy is aware, priority is being accorded by the Government to housing.
While I am as conscious as anyone of the degree of need for housing which still exists, I should perhaps remind the Deputy that the provision for the purpose in the State Capital Budget has grown from £8.7 million in 1960-61 to an estimated £28.81 million in the current financial year; and that, contrary to the statement in the report referred to, the output of houses has been increasing each year, with the exception of one year in which there was a slight decrease, for a longer period now than ever before in the history of the State.
Does the Minister now contradict the statement made? Does this explain why local authorities, particularly Donegal County Council, must wait possibly six months before tenders are sanctioned for the erection of cottages?
No county council has to wait anything approaching six months before tenders for the erection of cottages are sanctioned. There was just the one year in which there was some financial difficulty when there was a slight falling off in the number of houses provided, in contrast with the situation that developed in 1956-57 when there was a complete collapse of the public housing programme and of the building industry.
Question No. 40.
(Interruptions.)
Do not let him off the hook.
May I be allowed to ask one supplementary question?
I have already called Question No. 40.