asked the Minister for Local Government how it is proposed to finance the announced increase in the maximum house loan limit; and if he will state the maximum yearly income limits for local authority house loans and supplementary grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Purchase Loans. House Loans.
25.
An additional £4 million has been allocated to local authorities to enable them to meet the cost of financing the recently announced increases in the house purchase loan and income limits. The extra money involved will be provided out of the Government's capital programme.
The maximum yearly income limit for house purchase loans has been increased to £2,000 and that for supplementary grants to £1.700 plus £100 for each dependant up to a maximum of £400.
Is the Minister aware that there has been no increase in poor law valuation limits for the agricultural community and is he further aware that some people engaged in agriculture are finding it difficult to get loans to build houses because the ACC very rarely provides loans for building houses and farmers do not qualify for loans from building societies? Would the Minister consider increasing the poor law valuation by £10, £15 or £20?
The valuation limit is, of course, £60 at present. I will have another look at this, but I will not hold out much hope of having it revised immediately.
Why not split the difference?
Have local authorities discretion with regard to the income limit?
There is an income limit laid down. The Deputy is, I think, thinking of the situation in which no other lending facilities are available. In that case certain very limited discretion is available to local authorities.