asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the capital allocation for the provision of houses to the Wexford Corporation is totally inadequate, having regard to the housing needs in the town; and if he will increase the allocation in order that Wexford Corporation may make preparations for the building of substantial numbers of houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Housing.
31.
The total amount of the capital allocations made to date to Wexford Corporation for their local authority housing construction programme in 1978 is £820,000. Of this amount, £620,000 was allocated in respect of the authority's on-going commitments at 1 January 1978, for which they had claimed £662,000.
The balance of £200,000 which was allocated for new work to be started by them before the 31 July 1978, was the maximum which I could give them at this stage of the year out of their claim for £372,000. Despite the sizeable increase in the public capital programme allocation for local authority housing this year, as compared with 1977, special overall allocations to Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council, existing commitments and new work started early in this year pre-empted all but about £7.5 million of the capital available.
Local authorities sought £23 million for about 5,000 new dwellings to be started before 31 July 1978. In making the new work allocations I had particular regard to the comparative urgency of housing needs in each area and to the need to maintain a reasonable spread of employment on the programme generally.
Wexford Corporation fared relatively better in this regard than many other authorities because I made special allowance for the housing needs' position in the town. The corporation have been informed that a general review of expenditure on the programme will be carried out by my Department during the summer and I will be glad to make an additional allocation to them later in the year if I find that this is possible, following the review.
In the meantime, the corporation should be able to maintain a reasonable level of activity on their programme on the basis of the total allocation of £820,000 so far made to them.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
In view of the reply to Questions Nos. 28 and 29 today I wish to give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 236 which appeared on last Wednesday's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.