asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (1) the number of houses built for letting by public utility societies and private persons, which were commenced after 1st March, 1948, and finished by 1st March, 1950, and which were eligible for grants from the State, and (2) the highest weekly rent, inclusive of rates, which he has sanctioned in respect of these houses.
Written Answers. - Housing Statistics.
During the period from 1st March, 1948, to March, 1950, grants were approved under Section 19 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1948, in respect of 226 houses erected for letting by private persons. The rent of such houses is not subject to my sanction. In the same period grants were approved under Section 20 of the Act of 1948 in respect of 44 houses erected for letting by one public utility society. The maximum weekly rent approved in the latter case was 28/- together with rates.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (1) the number of houses built with State assistance by private persons and by public utility societies for their members which were commenced after March 1st, 1948, and completed by March 1st, 1950, and (2) the total amount in grants paid, or to be paid, by the State in respect of such houses.
The number of houses in respect of which grants were fully paid during the period was 2,577, involving a total payment of £633,210.
It may be taken, therefore, that at least 2,577 houses were completed by private persons and public utility societies within the period in question, but the Deputy will appreciate that this figure does not necessarily coincide with the total number of completions during the period. For the purposes of departmental records, houses qualifying for State grants are recorded as completed only when final payments of the grants have been made.
As regards the second part of the question, the total amount of the grants for these houses may be taken to be approximately the sum of £633,210 paid. While there are a number of houses on which the grants have not yet been fully paid and which have not been included, the figures I have given include some houses completed before March, 1948.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, in respect of local authority houses (1) the number which were commenced after 1st March, 1948, and which were completed and ready for occupation by 1st March, 1950; (2) the aggregate contribution by the State to the cost of those houses and the approximate percentage of the total cost which this sum represents; (3) an approximate percentage of the total cost falling on the rates, and (4) an approximate percentage of the total cost estimated to be recouped from the rates.
The number of houses commenced by local authorities after 1st March, 1948, and completed during the two-year period up to 1st March, 1950, was approximately 5,200, namely, 2,800 in rural areas and 2,400 in urban areas.
The ratio of State aid to the total cost is not fixed but depends on a number of factors such as area, the services provided, the type of persons for whom the houses are provided and the cost of the house. Furthermore, the amount of the claims for annual subsidy is generally not known until after the end of each financial year. It is not, therefore, yet possible to give the figures required in the remaining portions of the Deputy's question. A general statistical investigation of all aspects of housing charges is at present being made.