asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that large numbers of people in Bray, County Wicklow, are unable to avail of reconstruction grants by virtue of the valuation condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bray Reconstruction Grants.
21.
I am not so aware. I am satisfied that the valuation limits for reconstruction grants will ensure that State aid will be available to those people in Bray and elsewhere who need it most.
Is the Minister stating that the residents of Sugarloaf Crescent, Charnwood, Sea Crest, Ardmore Park, Killarney Park, Fairy Hill, Woodbrook Lawn, Scott Park, Roselawn Park, Cherrytree Drive, Lauderdale and so on are not in need of grants to do necessary construction?
I am not aware of the long list the Deputy read. Most grant-aided houses built 15 years ago or earlier have valuations under £15 and would, therefore, qualify for reconstruction grants.
I wish to draw the Minister's attention to very large areas of Bray town and other areas which are completely debarred from obtaining these grants which many local authorities, including Wicklow——
The Deputy must ask a question.
——have asked the Minister to further increase——
The Deputy is making a statement.
The Deputy's statement is incorrect.
Is the Minister aware that these houses were completed in the last five years and even as recently as this year. It would be most unusual for reconstruction grants to be applied in such large numbers to houses only recently given grants under the new house schemes.
Fifteen years is the normal period for which reconstruction grants are paid. Perhaps the Deputy is aware of the fact that the private houses in the Bray area were as badly built as the local authority houses during the period when Fianna Fáil were in office.
That is a scurrilous and scandalous remark for any Minister to make.
This is Question Time. No. 22.