asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the Land Commission have reduced from £80 to £70 the assistance towards the erection of a dwelling-house promised to Mr. Stephen Joyce, of Carn, The Neale, County Mayo (Couper estate, County Mayo, Record No. C.D.B. 9996) on the ground that he used second-hand slates on the house, and if he is further aware that the slates were of better quality, and cost more money than tiles would have cost, and if he will see that the further sum of £10 is paid to Mr. Joyce.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Housing Grant.
The Land Commission have considered fully the circumstances of this case and have decided to adhere to their ruling that the housing assistance granted to Mr. Joyce should be reduced by £10 in view of his using for roofing a supply of old second-hand slates which he had purchased in 1935. The original grant was sanctioned on the assumption that Mr. Joyce would have to purchase new roofing materials, and permission to use the old slates in Mr. Joyce's possession was accompanied by the reduction of £10 in the grant.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that if a man bought second-hand slates off an old mansion house, which are far and away better than any slates he can get on the market at the present time, and infinitely better than roofing tiles, and if he paid more for them than he would pay for roofing tiles, that it is unjust to keep back £10 from him?
The man in question was aware of the circumstances. He had the slates already in his possession when he made the application for the grant and the grant was sanctioned with the intimation that there would be a reduction of £10 in the amount in consideration of the fact that he had used second-hand materials. The object of giving the grant is for the promotion and the helping of Irish industries and obviously using old roofing materials was not intended.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary seriously suggest that houses roofed with Bangor slates have never been sanctioned? I can cite cases where they were sanctioned.
That may have been, but not in recent years.
In comparatively recent years.
Perhaps under the previous Government.
And under the present Government. Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think it unjust to keep that £10 from this man?
If I may express an opinion, I certainly do not. I consider the man has been fairly and reasonably dealt with.
I am sorry that is the Parliamentary Secretary's idea of what is fair and reasonable.