asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the dangers inherent in the present restrictions of credit for private housing purposes, he will now take steps to ensure that there will be no contraction of employment in the private sector of the building trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Trade Employment.
15.
I would refer the Deputy to my statement of 15th June, which sets out the steps taken by me to ensure that available resources for the financing of private housing are used to the best advantage.
Is the Minister satisfied that there will be no contraction in house building in the private sector in the foreseeable future?
I am satisfied that there will be more money available for housing this year than was used last year, taking houses on a total basis, and not breaking them down as between one and another.
Mr. O'Leary
Has the Minister heard of the credit squeeze?
I believe the Deputy and others are making out that there is something more than there actually is in regard to house building I still assert that there will be more money available this year than was spent last year.
When the Minister says that more money will be available than last year, does he mean that more money will be spent than last year?
To a large extent that depends on the activities of the local authorities.
The Minister said that more money would be available for house building generally. Might I repeat my supplementary and ask him if he is satisfied that there will be no contraction of employment in the private sector?
I would say I am satisfied that there will be no contraction but that there could be an expansion, and probably also in private building.
Does the Minister give an assurance that there will be no contraction in the money available for building in the private sector?
Not so far as my Department is concerned. The new SDA loan limits and the new SDA income limits have been designed so that Central Fund money will be available to those who are privately building.
Is the Minister satisfied that the building societies will have sufficient money to meet demands made upon them?
I am satisfied that the total money will be adequate to meet all demands.
(Cavan): Having regard to the Minister's statement that more money will be provided this year than was spent last year, is the Minister satisfied that the amount being provided this year will keep pace with the increase in the cost of building houses, because that is what matters?
The probability is that we will get more houses at no greater cost.
(Cavan): Is the Minister not over-optimistic?
I am optimistic by nature.