asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make more money available from the SDA loans fund to Kilkenny County Council as the council, due to lack of finance, cannot at present make money available for the purchase of previously occupied houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kilkenny SDA Loans.
11.
The revised capital allocation for the payment of loans for both new and previously occupied houses and for supplementary grants in the current year which was notified to Kilkenny County Council on 16th July is £870,000. I have not received any indication from the council that this amount has been fully expended.
I am, however, having the position in each local authority area kept under continuous review so that any capital surplus to requirements can be reallocated to areas where a need for extra money is anticipated. If such a need arises in Kilkenny County Council at a later stage, I will give sympathetic consideration to an application for an increased allocation in the light of the capital situation obtaining at that time.
I should like to assure the Minister that a great many applicants for supplementary grants are awaiting payment. They have been given to understand by Kilkenny County Council that there are no funds to meet them at present. Is it the Minister's intention to make money available for this purpose?
I made funds amounting to £870,000 available on 16th July. I am not aware that there is any shortage of money for this purpose.
I can assure the Minister that there has been a shortage. I am glad to hear that he is augmenting the available supply of money.
I am glad to hear that Kilkenny County Council, and the people of Kilkenny, are availing of every effort to house themselves and that there is such a big demand. In 1972-73 all they got was £290,076. I have increased that, in a little over two years to £870,000. This shows a big upsurge and I am delighted to hear it. If I can be of any assistance in giving more money to them I will be glad to do so.
It might assist the House in understanding the figures better if the Minister would express in figures the effects of inflation in the last two years.
It has not amounted to 300 per cent.