asked the Minister for Local Government if a person carrying out repairs to his dwelling house under section 5 of the Housing (Loans and Grants) Act, 1962 is entitled to put on a slated roof, and, if so, if he is entitled to a loan from his local authority to cover the difference between the grants and the estimated cost.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Dwelling Houses.
14.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "yes". The statutory conditions governing the making of loans by housing authorities under section 10 of the Housing (Loans and Grants) Act, 1962, for the reconstruction of houses preclude the making of a loan in respect of a house unless it is in all respects fit for human habitation on completion of the reconstruction works. The provisions of section 5 apply only to houses which cannot be made fit for human habitation in all respects at a reasonable cost and are designed, primarily, as a means of prolonging the lifetime of such houses for limited periods. The type of house for which the section caters, and the restricted nature of the repair works normally carried out, are such that the house, even when repaired, could not be expected to provide reasonable security for a loan by the housing authority. In fact, the total cost of the repair works is met in most cases by the combined grants made available by the State and local authorities. The question of the need for loan facilities should not, therefore, arise.