asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether before making a grant under the Housing Act, 1932, he has made a condition that the building materials shall as far as possible be produced in the Saorstát, and, if so, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to make known to persons interested in house building where such materials are produced or can be obtained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saorstát Materials for Subsidised Houses.
One of the conditions upon which State Grants are available for houses erected under the Housing Act of 1932 is that the building material shall, as far as possible, be produced in the Saorstát. I have recently invited, by advertisement in the public press, all producers or manufacturers of such materials to communicate with my Department with a view to a list being prepared and made available to all interested in house production.
Will the Minister arrange that in cases where Killaloe slates, for instance, cannot be supplied in time to enable persons to avail of the building grant, the grant will not be withheld from such persons?
I think we discussed that matter at considerable length here a week or so ago. I said then, and I repeat, that in every case where an individual putting up a house or a scheme of houses proves to the satisfaction of the Housing Board or the Department that he cannot get Irish manufactured roofing material, every help will be given to him to get Irish roofing material and, if he cannot get it, arrangements will be made to allow him to go ahead with the work.
In cases where roofing tiles are available and an objection can be sustained against Irish roofing tiles, will the Minister agree then to giving the grant?
We certainly will not stop the grant where we are satisfied that the Irish roofing materials are not available.