asked the Minister for Local Government whether the Government propose to assist private builders in their efforts to deal with the housing shortage in the City of Dublin; if so, will he state whether the assistance will be granted this year.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - SUBSIDIES TO PRIVATE BUILDERS.
The Government do not propose to subsidise private builders during the current financial year because of the heavy obligations of the Government arising from the destruction of property.
Mr. BYRNE
I would like to ask the Minister whether the Government approve of the principle of subsidising private builders as against the heavy expenditure incurred by municipal authorities? Is he aware that private builders will build houses for less than half the subsidy given to local authorities?
We believe, in general, more houses could be got for the money available by subsidising private builders than by subsidising local authorities.