asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction an extra grant from the Transition Development Fund in respect of urban houses and extend the loan period so as to reduce the rents substantially.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grants and Loans.
The Minister for Finance has already announced that the Transition Development Fund will be wound up at the end of the current financial year. The question of examining the financial basis of local authority housing, with particular reference to the amount of grants from this fund would, therefore, be inappropriate. The general financial basis is, however, being examined with a view to devising a new system.
With regard to the question of extending the loan period, I would point out that the repayment period for loans for housing purposes was extended from 35 to 50 years following the extension of the subsidy period by the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1948. I am not aware that any convincing case has been made for any further extension of the loan period.