asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider the claims of applicants for the reconstruction of houses to whom the Housing Acts do not apply, such as self-employed people who do not work for hire, small business people in towns, old age pensioners, etc., and if he will introduce proposals for legislation to enable these applications to be granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scope of Housing Acts.
Mr. Murphy
Applications for reconstruction grants under the Housing Acts from self-employed persons working in rural districts including towns with town commissioners, who do not employ any persons other than members of their own families, and from old age pensioners who, before the receipt of a pension, came within one of the eligible categories, have always received consideration. I am examining generally the scope of the eligible categories for these grants.
Would the Minister be prepared to accept any application that has been sent out? I have a good many applications which have not been considered but have been turned down, so to speak, and I would like the Minister to consider them in some way, as it is a great hardship on these people.
Mr. Murphy
The Deputy, from his experience, knows that in these matters there are many border line cases. It is very difficult for me to make any promise that would involve generally admitting those cases. All I can say is that all the cases will be examined on their merits and the intention is that they will be considered as sympathetically as possible.