asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that, owing to the increase in the price of building materials, grants and loans by the Land Commission to persons erecting new houses or improving old houses which were made on the existing scale are now proving entirely inadequate, and if he will take steps to have these grants and loans increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grants.
The position resulting from increases in the price of building materials is being closely watched. No decision has yet been taken affecting the ordinary scale of assistance afforded by the Land Commission. The question affects other Departments also and has to be examined as a whole.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that at the present moment the grants are so inadequate that it is impossible for anybody to build a house with the grant and loans usually given by his Department?
I would not go so far as to say that they are so inadequate as all that but, as I have already informed the Deputy, the position is being closely examined by the Land Commission.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give any idea as to when this close examination will be finished and a result arrived at?
All I can add to what I have already told the Deputy is that the Land Commission are just as anxious as he is and as I am to avoid any delay or any hold-up in the building of houses for these people. He can rest assured the matter is getting all the consideration it possibly could get.