asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will arrange, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, to have the financial facilities at present available to agricultural workers for the purpose of repairing their houses extended to industrial workers and workers in Government services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Financial Facilities for Workers.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to Section 2 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1941, which provides that
"a person who is working for hire shall not be prevented from being an agricultural labourer...solely by reason of the fact that he is not working for hire in a rural district".
The effect of this provision was to widen the scope of the classes of workers to whom reconstruction grants under the Housing Act of 1948 might be paid. The question of the further extension of these classes will be considered when fresh housing legislation is being formulated.
Is the Minister aware that in rural or urban areas which would be more or less just border-line, men have at times applied and have been turned down? Will he contemplate giving some consideration to those men, who are every bit as much entitled as the agricultural workers who have those financial facilities?
As I indicated in the reply, the question of a further extension of the classes to whom these facilities can be given will be considered when fresh housing legislation is being formulated.