(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government the total estimated cost of housing schemes in his Department awaiting sanction; and when he anticipates the list will be cleared.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sanctioning of Housing Schemes.
22.
: A large number of proposals for housing schemes are normally before my Department at any one time. These proposals extend from outline plans to loan proposals, and in many cases no estimate of cost is available. It is not practicable therefore to give the total estimated cost of housing schemes which are before my Department, or to say when a decision will be given on individual schemes.
(Cavan): Am I correct in assuming that when the plans reach a certain stage, an estimate of the work is submitted to the Department with the plan? If I am correct in so thinking, would it not be possible for the Minister to give an estimate of the value of the schemes in his Department at that stage? That, of course, is what I am asking.
: It is not what the Deputy asked. He has asked for the total estimated cost of housing schemes in the Department awaiting sanction.
(Cavan): Yes, the estimated cost.
: It is not possible to give that.
(Cavan): Is it not a fact that the Minister does not want to give the information?
: No, it is not possible to give it.
(Cavan): Does the Minister not agree that he has readily available to him estimates for schemes awaiting sanction at the estimates stage?
: I have not information that would enable me to give the Deputy the information required.
(Cavan): Is it not a fact that the Minister has estimates available at the estimates stage? It is obvious the Minister does not want to give the information.
: It is quite obvious that the Minister is refusing——
: I am calling Question No. 23.
: ——to give the information sought by Deputy Fitzpatrick. Is it not a simple question to which the Minister has refused an answer?
: The question I am dealing with now was put down by Deputy Cronin.
: I am asking a supplementary question on Question No. 22, on Deputy Fitzpatrick's question.
: I have called Question No. 23.