andMr. Fox asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) to the effect that houses costing upwards of £7,000 are defective in many respects; and what action it is proposed to take to deal with the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defective Houses.
101.
I have seen the report referred to by the Deputies. In so far as grant-aided new houses are concerned, the payment of grants by my Department is conditional on acceptable minimum standards of construction being observed in the course of construction. I am satisfied that, in general, these standards are achieved and that in cases in which they are not achieved, the appropriate grant is reduced or withheld, depending on the extent to which the house fails to meet these minimum requirements.
Some of the items referred to in the report, such as internal decoration, do not affect the structural stability of the house and are appropriate to be settled between purchasers and builders.