asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state on what basis it is decided that the use of foreign asbestos slates merits a reduction of £10 in the amount of the grant payable in respect of new houses; and, further, if he is aware that the county council grant, where payable, is consequently reduced by a similar amount, thereby causing hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reduction in Housing Grants.
Grants for new or reconstructed houses are allocated subject to the condition that materials and appliances manufactured or produced in Ireland must be used as far as possible. Moreover, applicants are required to sign an undertaking that slates or tiles produced or manufactured in Ireland will be used for roofing.
It is the practice to reduce the appropriate grant by a sum of £10 in any case where this undertaking is not fulfilled, unless it can be shown that Irish-made roofing materials were not available. I am aware that a corresponding reduction would be made by the housing authority in any case in which a supplementary grant is payable, but the consequences of using foreign material should be made clear to the applicant from the outset.
Does the Minister not agree that this fine is a hardship on people who are building houses? Would the Minister not consider reducing the sum to £5?
I agree that any fine is a hardship whether it be £20, £10 or £5. Having regard to the fact that in one of the first four or five questions in the application form, it is deliberately put to the applicant that he should use native material, where available, and the applicant gives such an undertaking, it should be brought home to him when he departs from the assurance he has given in the form that he has failed in his undertaking and personally I do not regard a fine of £10 as excessive.
There were occasions when it was difficult for these people to procure Irish manufactured slates and foreign asbestos tiles were readily available.
If it can be shown that Irish manufactured roofing materials are not available, we are always prepared to consider any representations made to us. Where it is clearly shown that the applicant departs from the written undertaking he gave, I do not think that in a grant of £250, £225 or £175 a penalty of £10 is in any way excessive for a departure from that undertaking.