asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applications for local authority houses from County Roscommon for 1980; the number gone to tender to date this year; and the total financial allocation for new starts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roscommon Housing Programme.
17.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the applications which Roscommon County Council made to my Department for capital funds to finance local authority housing in 1980. On 22 January 1980 the council submitted an application for finance to meet ongoing commitments on their housing programme at 31 December 1979. On 14 March 1980 a total of £830,000 was allocated to the council for this purpose.
At the beginning of March a further application was received from the council for £853,000 to finance new work on 130 dwellings in various locations in the county to be started before 31 July 1980. This application is being considered in conjunction with similar applications received from other housing authorities.
I have been informed by Roscommon County Council that no houses have gone to tender so far this year.
Is the Minister aware of the large number of applicants awaiting local authority housing in Roscommon and the serious hardship caused by the delay? Will he take steps to alleviate the problem?
I am not aware of that but I am aware that in the year 1978-79 the number of houses completed there was about 130.
When was the last scheme of houses advertised for tender?
I do not have that information here but so far as I know it was last year.
The Minister is very badly briefed.
The fact remains there is no money for housing schemes.