asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in dealing with (a) new house grants, (b) reconstruction grants and (c) final payments for both (a) and (b) in Sligo-Leitrim constituency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo-Leitrim Housing and Reconstruction Grants.
41.
As I explained in reply to a question by Deputy S. Collins last Thursday, delays in dealing with housing grants have arisen in various areas because of an increase in the volume of cases arising for inspection and also on account of difficulties experienced during the present year in keeping our inspectorial staff up to strength, due to a current shortage in available engineering personnel. In the case of Sligo-Leitrim the staff was increased by an additional inspector last month. The arrears in Leitrim have been substantially reduced and the staff has now been instructed to concentrate on the arrears in County Sligo.
I feel that the Minister will agree with me that a delay of four to five months after a house has been reported on as having been completed is too long and also that as regards a house having been reported on by an inspector, a delay of eight to ten months is too long before payment is made.
I am waiting for the question.
In reply to the Deputy's first supplementary question as to whether or not I would agree that a delay of anything up to five months is too long, I would regard a delay of anything up to one-fifth of that time as too long, but I have given him the reasons for these delays. Everything is being done to remedy the situation and nobody would be more happy than I if these matters could be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. In regard to the Deputy's reference to a ten months' delay, I do not accept that that is the position.
That takes care of Sligo-Leitrim, but I should like to assure the Minister that Sligo-Leitrim is not dissimilar to other counties.
This question applies only to Sligo-Leitrim.
The Minister referred to the situation in the country generally.
That does not enlarge it.
Would the Minister consider using local housing engineers, who have not as much to do in regard to housing as they had formerly, in the matter of final inspection?
The local authority engineers?
Yes.
The local authority engineers are fully occupied.
Not on housing.
But they are fully occupied, so that does not matter.
Would the Minister not consider that suggestion?
There is nothing the Minister has not had under consideration for some considerable time.
But there are great delays.
I quite agree.