asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that over 100 houses are unoccupied in the immediate vicinity of Cork City; that these houses were built by speculative builders, and on that account do not qualify for the housing grants, and if he will state whether, in view of the abnormal scarcity of houses, he will consider making a grant available to the purchasers of these houses and, if necessary, introduce proposals for legislation to enable him to do so in order to have these houses occupied without further delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants for Cork City Houses.
Mr. Murphy
I am not aware that the position is as indicated by the Deputy's question. If the houses are outside the city boundary and were begun before the 1st November, 1947, they would have been eligible for the grant of £45 per house payable under the earlier Housing Acts unless they did not comply with the statutory requirements in regard to floor area. I am not prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose of making grants available for the purchase of houses. The Deputy will appreciate that this matter is governed by the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1948, which was only passed into law early this year, and further amending legislation would not, I feel, be warranted at this early stage.
Would not the Minister think that it would be far more reasonable and sensible to introduce this legislation than to be compelling the Cork Corporation to export half a million of money for prefabricated houses? These houses that I refer to are idle. They have got the £45 grant and all that they are looking for is the balance of the £275 grant: As I have said, these houses are now idle. It is a long time since I drew the Minister's attention to this. I did so on the Estimate for the Department of Local Government. It is a tragic thing to see these houses idle while we are compelled to go across the Channel for houses for the people.
Mr. Murphy
I have only to refer the Deputy to my reply. As I have pointed out, the Housing Act is less than a year in force. Therefore, the question of introducing amending legislation is not one that could be considered as easily as the Deputy suggests. There is very much more in the Deputy's suggestion than there is in the question he addressed to me.
I am sure the Minister realises that this is a matter of great urgency.
Mr. Murphy
I realise that the provisions of the Housing Act must be carried out in accordance with the principles laid down in that Act.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, may the public take it that, as far as the Minister is concerned, grants will not be payable to the purchasers of houses?