asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the maximum salary of applicants who, following the coming into operation of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1956, will be regarded as qualified for loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, (b) what classes of persons will be considered for loans from building societies under Section 10 of the Act, and (c) what discretion local authorities will have in regard to the allocation of loans under both heads.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Loans.
asked the Minister for Local Government if, in connection with allocations from the Local Loans Fund, he will state whether he proposes to specify conditions in relation to the classes of persons to whom loans will be made available for the purposes of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether for the purposes of the administration of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts adequate funds will be made available from the Local Loans Fund to local authorities who do not adopt Section 10 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1956; and whether the method of disposal of funds from the Local Loans Fund requires his prior sanction.
asked the Minister for Local Government what funds are available to building societies for the administration of Section 10 of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1956, and whether he has satisfied himself that such funds are adequate.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 to 31 together.
By circular letter of 9th June local authorities were notified that new advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts should be confined to persons who could not reasonably be expected to finance the provision of their houses otherwise. As I indicated in the course of the debate on the Housing (Amendment) Bill, 1956, the application of this condition in particular cases is a matter for the housing authority. Local authorities must apply the condition whether or not they make schemes for guarantees in relation to advances by building societies. The making of such schemes will, however, commend itself to local authorities in order that all possible facilities which the local authority can provide will be available in their area to persons willing to provide their own houses.
With regard to the latter part of Question No. 30, the borrowing of money by a local authority requires my sanction, while the issue of money from the Local Loans Fund requires the sanction of the Minister for Finance.
With regard to Question No. 31, I have no information as to the funds available to building societies for the making of advances under guarantee schemes, but I would refer the Deputy to my recent announcements to the effect that the principal building societies had agreed to operate under such schemes.
Would the Minister agree with the expression of his colleague the Minister for Justice recently, when he stated there was plenty of money available for houses except for "civil servants and other rich people of £2,000 a year income"? Would that figure be the figure the Minister has in mind when he contemplates a certain category availing of building society loans?
I have said there is ample money available for people of modest means who wish to procure loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts from the Local Loans Fund. I am responsible for the administration of advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts and not the Minister for Justice.
Arising further out of the Minister's reply, would the Minister indicate what exactly he means by a "person of modest means"? Would it be £1,000, £700 or £2,000? Would he give a help to the local authority?
That is entirely a matter for the local authority. The amount may differ in certain areas. It is entirely a matter for the local authority to decide what is meant exactly by modest means.
Question No. 32.
Arising out of that reply——
I have called No. 32.
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I would like to point out that I wanted to ask a supplementary question.
The Deputy got three supplementary questions.
There were four questions, Sir.
The Chair has the authority to decide the number of supplementary questions to be asked. That matter was discussed in extenso last week.
Due to the unsatisfactory nature of all the replies, I want to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.