asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the serious structural defects in the NBA, 32-house scheme at Castlequarter, Killenaule, Thurles, County Tipperary and the inability of the local authority to carry out all necessary repairs; and if in the special circumstances he will provide special financial assistance to the local authority to enable the houses to be made habitable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Structural Defects.
12.
Mr. Treacy
I am aware that there are difficulties in relation to the state of repair of these houses. I am awaiting proposals from Tipperary (SR) County Council for dealing with the matter in accordance with the scheme for the financing of improvements to rented local authority houses included in the Housing Package, 1981, which I introduced in May 1981. Grants may also be available for some of the works involved under the recently expanded house improvement grants scheme.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
I tabled a Private Notice Question asking the Minister if he was aware of the statement by the secretary of the buildings societies association, Mr. Malone, in regard to the serious problem of the drop in loans. There was a total drop of £14 million compared with the same month in 1981. There has also been a distinct drop in the level of investment in building societies. In May the level was £9 million as compared with £13 million in April. I wish to know if the Government intend to make time available to have this matter discussed in the next day or two. The drop in the number of house approvals is a very serious matter. Can the Chair assist in any way in regard to this very important matter?
That is a matter for the Whips.
This question was disallowed as not being urgent. There is no question of a mortgage increase until September. I gave that information to the Deputy.
I appreciate there may or may not be an increase in the mortgage rate soon, but it is a serious matter. My question was a two-pronged question. The other part of the question was concerned with the situation that has arisen in regard to the drop in savings in the building societies.
When a Private Notice Question is disallowed the Deputy is not allowed to pursue it in the House. I tried to explain to the Deputy the reason it was disallowed and he must accept the ruling. If he wishes to query it again he had better come to my office and I will go over it with him, but he cannot pursue it in the House.
I have not had notice of the question.
The question was disallowed.
On a point of order on a similar matter, after Questions yesterday on the Order of Business the Taoiseach suggested that in order to get information one should put down a question. I tabled a Private Notice Question about Ardmore Studios and about the latest pronouncement on the radio by the Minister for Industry and Energy that he intends to sell Ardmore to a foreign buyer. This is in complete contravention of the resolution passed in Private Members Time last week and I asked for a Private Notice Question on that basis. I have been told by the office that the question has been disallowed. I do not believe that the interview given by the Minister, Deputy Reynolds, and what he said then, which was published in the papers, was taken into account when the decision was made. I ask the Chair for permission to raise this question, if not today then tomorrow, with the appropriate Minister because I do not think all the facts were taken into account.
Does the Deputy wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
Yes.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
The Minister said with regard to building society loans that the matter could be discussed with the Whips. Have I an assurance from the Minister that he will see to that?
I am giving no such assurance. The Deputy is long enough in this House to know that I do not order business.
With the permission of the Chair I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.