asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that further funds for the issue of house loans will soon be necessary for Drogheda Corporation; and if he will make a supplementary allocation of capital funds immediately for that purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Louth Housing Loans.
33.
On 15th October last I increased the allocation to Drogheda Corporation for house purchase loans and supplementary grants by £20,000, bringing the funds available to them for spending in the balance of the financial year from 30th September, to about £113,000. In addition the corporation are aware of their provisional allocation of about £200,000, for these purposes, in 1970-71. The local authority have not applied for any further allocation this year.
Can the Minister say the amount that is available in those funds for allocation during the rest of the financial year? He gave the grand total. Can he give the amount available for allocation during the rest of the financial year?
That is what I gave. It is for the remainder of the financial year.
What was it?
£113,000.
For local authority loans?
For loans and supplementary grants.
Mr. J. Lenehan
Not for guns for shooting tinkers.
The Deputy will be in danger if I start again.
I think the Deputy is going "bats".
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that moneys are not available for the issue of house loans by Dundalk Urban Council; and if he will make a supplementary allocation of finance immediately to that body.
Following receipt of a request from Dundalk Urban District Council on 8th October last for extra capital to pay house-purchase and reconstruction loans and supplementary housing grants this year, I informed the council on 15th October that the allocation had been increased by £10,000. A request for a further increase in the allocation which was received in my Department on the 31st October is under consideration at present.
Is the Minister aware that of eight houses constructed by executives and workmen of a new firm started in Dundalk, the county manager was in a position to give loans for only three?
Four.
He told me three. All right, four. The other four people cannot get loans. They are people who came from Scotland and England to work in this industry, to train Irish people and make more jobs for them, and we have not got the money for four more houses.
I have been aware of the position since yesterday and it will be dealt with satisfactorily.
That is all I want.