asked the Minister for Local Government if he will grant an increased financial allocation to Kerry County Council to enable them to meet the demand for the building of rural cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Cottages.
12.
I am reviewing the position regarding the provision of a supplementary allocation of capital for local authority housing for Kerry County Council and I hope to communicate with the council shortly in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that Kerry County Council have 126 sites transferred ready for building but there is no cash to build the rural cottages? The council are very anxious that the Minister make an allocation as quickly as possible.
The matter is being considered at the present time. The Deputy, I am sure, is aware that the amount of grant allocated to the council has increased from £585,117 in 1973-74 to £1,080,000, which is this year's initial allocation. I want to make it clear that so far, only the initial allocation has been given. My officers have been in Kerry with the object of finding out what extra money is required.
The cost of building a rural cottage in 1972-73 was a little over £3,000. The cost of building a similar cottage today is £6,600.
In view of the fact that Kerry County Council only got £484,695 in 1972-73, we are bang on the button with the amount they have got already, without giving them any further allocation.