asked the Minister for Local Government the cost to date of the Building Advisory Council; the number of and frequency of meetings held by it; its present membership; and its future prospects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Advisory Council.
19.
The amount advanced to date from State funds to the National Building Advisory Council to meet its expenses is £18,750.
Since the Council was incorporated on 15th December, 1964, they have held 19 meetings. Fortnightly meetings were held up to June, 1965. Since then meetings have usually been held at monthly intervals.
In regard to the membership of the Council, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question by Deputy Sweetman on 24th February, 1966 (Vol. 221, No. 3, Cols. 473 and 474).
Paragraph 24 of the White Paper on Public Capital Expenditure indicated the Government's intention that there should be a closer definition of the spheres of action of the State agencies dealing with the building and construction industry. Pending a decision on this question it is not possible to give any indication of the future prospects of the Council.
Could the Minister tell the House who has been advised by this agency? There has been £18,000 subscribed. Have they produced a report or given any advice to anybody that has been of any value or are they preparing a report and for whom is the report being prepared?
Up to quite recently, their advice was tendered through the Minister for Industry and Commerce. As from a few months ago, they will tender that advice through the Minister for Local Government. As to the remainder of the supplementary questions, I am afraid I am not in a position to answer them without notice.
Will they give any advice for the people concerned in the building industry?
Of course, the building industry are represented on this council and, in fact, comprise a substantial part of the total membership.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government what recommendations have been made by the Building Advisory Council on the steps necessary to maintain a steady level of production in the construction industry, particularly in the construction of houses; and what steps are being taken to achieve a high constant level in the building industry.
In November, 1965, the National Building Advisory Council submitted a report to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in which they recommended, in addition to certain administrative steps, that—
(i) the degree of sensitivity which is exercised in planning public expenditure in the building and construction industry should be exercised in the private sector also, and in this connection that discussions should be held between the Central Bank, the Irish Banks Standing Committee, the Department of Finance and the Council.
(ii) in the event of determination on a levelling off of expenditure both public and private within the economy as a whole, such levelling off should be shared by all sectors of the economy,
(iii) the Government should consider making available to the industry a list of projects which it proposes to undertake in each year, or, failing this, a statement as to each Government Department's proposed capital expenditure on new works on a county by county basis for each category of building.
(iv) planning appeals with the Minister for Local Government should be disposed of with the utmost despatch,
(v) a system of phased programming in the release of publicly financed projects on which planning to pre-tender stage may proceed, should be considered when the current credit restrictions have abated and that the Government should take steps to encourage semi-State bodies, statutory undertakings and all others effectively within its sphere of influence to instruct their professional staff and consultants to proceed in full with the necessary pre-tender preparations.
The Council's report did not relate specifically to housing.
In regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the fact that the provision in the Capital Budget for housing, for which I am largely responsible, is £21.84 million in 1966-67 as against a provisional outturn for the current year of £20.06 million. The total provision in the Capital Budget under the heading Building and Construction is £34.40 million for 1966-67 as against a provisional figure of £33.43 million in the current financial year.
Will the Minister say does "Building and Construction" include road construction?
No, it would not be included in that figure. It is exclusive of road expenditure.
Is the Minister telling the House that it does not include the cost of roads in a new development area where the developer is compelled to put in the road services?
No. If I understand Deputy Dillon properly, he is inquiring whether or not the roads expenditure is included in the two figures I have quoted. Is that correct?
That is correct.
The answer to that is that general roads expenditure is not so included.