asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that Kerry County Council have 88 single rural cottage sites transferred, and a group scheme for seven homes ready to start work immediately if the finance were available; and if he is prepared to provide the finance to enable work to begin on these cottages.
Written Answers . - Kerry Rural Cottages .
168.
: I am aware that Kerry County Council are seeking additional capital to enable them to start work on the construction of more rural cottages and other houses this year. I have already allocated £1,670,000 for their local authority housing construction programme in 1978, including £470,000 in respect of new work to be started before 31 July 1978. It is a matter for the council to decide what new work will be started within this allocation.
The allocation made to date represents an increase of 9 per cent on the council's 1977 allocation. This is in line with the increase in the allocation for the programme nationally in the Public Capital Programme for 1978.
The council have been informed that a detailed review of expenditure on the local authority housing programme generally will be made later this summer. When this review has been completed I may be in a position to make a further allocation to the council to enable them to start more work later in the year.