asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the dilapidated condition of many small farmers' houses throughout the country whose valuation exceeds £25, and whose occupiers are accordingly debarred from securing the free grant of £40; and if he will now consider raising the valuation bar to £40, so that those farmers whose valuations are between £25 and £40 will become eligible for the £40 grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Condition of Farm Houses.
There are no proposals under consideration at present for an extension of the law governing the allocation of grants for the reconstruction of farmers' dwellings. The information in my Department would not support the statement of the Deputy as regards the dilapidated condition of houses of farmers in occupation of holdings between £25 and £40 valuation. Eighty per cent. of the agricultural holdings are under £25 valuation and qualify for reconstruction grants under the present Acts.