asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the fact that tenders have been accepted by Donegal County Council for approximately 200 specific instance and small farmers' houses, he will make a sufficient allocation to Donegal County Council to allow these contracts to be placed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal County Council Housing.
13.
Donegal County Council have submitted an application for an additional capital allocation for their local authority housing programme. The application which includes a provision for the commencement before the end of 1981 of a number of specific instance and small farmers cottages is being examined in conjunction with similar claims from the various other local authorities. I would add for the information of the Deputy and the House that the Government have, on my recommendation and in view of the total inadequacy of the capital already provided, agreed to an additional capital allocation of £30 million for the local authority housing programme. In view of this Donegal County Council will be notified of an additional allocation without delay and it will be a matter for the local authority to decide on their own priorities on receipt of the notification.
We welcome the further allocation to Donegal County Council. Is the Minister aware that a survey carried out recently by the County Council in conjunction with An Foras Forbartha established that there is much unfit and grossly overcrowded housing and a prospective need for 13,000 houses by 1985? Is he further aware that during the past eight years we have been averaging approximately 290 houses per year? At that rate we would meet housing needs in Donegal in about 40 years' time. Of the capital commitment of £4.4 million to Donegal County Council we have been allocated £2.04 million. Can the Minister give an assurance that the additional allocation will be sufficient to enable us to meet the present inadequate target of 290 houses?
I requested the government to allocate this additional £30 million because the well was dry. I am very conscious that local authorities throughout the country have totally inadequate funds for housing. I am happy to announce this provision of £30 million and I am concerned to examine the housing programme throughout the country. As Minister with responsibility for housing, I will seek as much money as possible and this provision of £30 million is a good start.
May I ask one final question?
I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude.