asked the Minister for Local Government the number of Irish firms engaged in the assembly or manufacture of door locks to be fitted in private dwelling-houses qualified for payment of housing grants; if it is a fact that £1 per lock is deducted from the amount of grant payable where Irish door locks are not fitted; if he is aware that defective badly-finished Irish-made door locks cost at least one shilling each more than well-finished Italian locks after the payment of fifty per cent import duty; and if he will indicate the number of dwellings which qualified for payment of housing grants, where Irish-made locks were fitted, for each year since 1960.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish-made Door Locks.
37.
There is one Irish firm engaged in the manufacture of door locks. I have no information in relation to the number of firms engaged in the assembly of locks.
Nominal deductions at the rate of £1 per house are made in cases where imported locks are used in grant-aided houses.
In regard to Italian locks, I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy.
Statistics are not available in relation to the number of houses which qualified for payment of housing grants, where Irish-made locks were fitted, since 1960.
Is the Minister aware that this is rather a sad reflection on Irish craftsmen? Are the Deputies on the other side of the House anxious to sell Italian locks instead of giving employment to Irish craftsmen? Is the Minister aware of that outlook and can he do anything about it?
It is hard not to be aware of it.
Mr. Ryan
The Irish locks will not work.