asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state when his proposals for legislation to amend the Small Dwellings Act for the purpose of facilitating the granting of housing loans by local authorities will be introduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Small Dwellings Act.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to Deputy Everett on the 14th November last in this matter. The difficulties referred to in the reply are still engaging the attention of the Department, but no solution has so far been found to the main difficulty involved, namely, that of the heavy legal expenses with which borrowers would be confronted in certain cases. It has, however, been found possible to overcome certain other difficulties without legislation, and 14 county councils are now making advances under the Acts in the exercise of their present powers.
Mr. Murphy
Can the Minister give us any hope that the difficulty that still remains unsolved will be overcome in a reasonably short time, having regard to the fact that a very large number of people have entered into commitments in connection with these matters?
They have been overcome in the case of 14 county councils, and we hope to be able to overcome them in the other cases.