asked the Minister for the Environment if the reduction in real terms of the financial allocation to Roscommon County Council this year has resulted in a decrease in the building of the number of local authority houses and, if so, if he will provide additional moneys to alleviate this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Local Authority Houses.
42.
On 14 March last Roscommon County Council were notified of a capital allocation of £830,000 to finance on-going commitments in the current year on their local authority housing programme. This was an increase of 12.2 per cent on the amount of £740,000 allocated to the council for the same purpose in February 1979. This allocation has enabled the council to maintain progress and employment on their local authority housing programme in the current year at about the same level as 1979.
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 7 May 1980, the council have submitted an application for funds to finance new work in various locations in the county to be started before 31 July 1980. This application is being considered in conjunction with similar applications from other housing authorities.
Can the Minister assure me that moneys will be available in the local loans fund for Roscommon County when they require it? Can the Minister also tell me how many new houses will start this year in Roscommon?
There are 76 dwellings in progress at the moment and a contract has been placed for 35. As I stated earlier, in regard to the allocation for the coming year Roscommon County Council have received a 12.2 per cent increase on last year.
Question No. 43.
This allocation has enabled the council to maintain progress and employment in its local authority housing programme in the current year. In regard to new commencements that is being looked at throughout the country.
Question No. 43.
This is the fifth month and the Minister should know how many houses should start this year.
I am unable to answer that but it is all being looked into.
Will the Minister say how he reconciles the fact that 76 houses are currently under construction and that contracts have been placed for another 35 with maintaining the same level of output? Will the Minister indicate the rate of inflation in construction prices for the period of time during which the 12.2 per cent increase was made available to the council?
That was not asked in the question.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister answer the first part of my question?
We have gone on to Question No. 43.