asked the Minister for Local Government when sanction will be given to Monaghan County Council to proceed with Cloughvalley housing scheme in Carrickmacross.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building of Houses.
11.
Provision for land acquisition costs for this project was made in the housing capital allocation, which was recently notified to Monaghan County Council. The housing authority were informed that the possibility of providing additional capital to enable development works to proceed later this year would be further examined. The matter is under review at present in conjunction with various representations received from housing authorities in regard to their allocations, and a decision will be given as soon as possible.
I found it rather difficult to hear the Minister. May I take it that in view of the impending development in Cloughvalley, it is reasonably likely that the local authority will be able to proceed with the scheme this year? I understand that the allocation which has been notified to Monaghan County Council has already been committed for other schemes which are under way and I imagine that the Cloughvalley scheme would require some supplementary provision, if it is to be undertaken forthwith. The Minister will agree that those concerned should be reassured in this matter.
In so far as the allocation already made is concerned, part of it would be intended to be devoted to the acquisition costs of the land in question. The matter of a further allocation to proceed with the Cloughvalley scheme is being examined and a decision will be arrived at and the council informed shortly. To put it another way: I anticipate a start will be made on the scheme during the year.
Then there is a reasonable prospect of their being facilitated in the matter?
Of being enabled to start this year.
12.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will reconsider the application by Kerry Country Council for a loan of £33,000 for the erection of 20 houses under the small farmers scheme, particularly in view of the urgent need which exists for these houses.
Kerry County Council were notified on 22nd March last of their capital allocation for housing in the current financial year and were asked to decide priorities in regard to the works to be carried out by them on the basis of that allocation. Their reply has not yet been received, but when it is, my approval will be forthcoming to the appropriate loan accommodation in respect of such works, including such cottages under the small farmers scheme, as may be decided on by the council.
13.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of single rural cottages built by Kerry County Council in the South Kerry constituency and in the North Kerry constituency in the year ended 31st March, 1966.
The information is not available in my Department in the form requested by the Deputy. The housing returns furnished to my Department relate to the county health district, in which 100 cottages were erected in the year ended 31st March, 1966.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government on what date an application was made for moneys from the Local Loans Fund by Cork County Council for the erection of a scheme of houses in Ringaskiddy. County Cork; and if there is any decision on the matter.
Application for sanction to this loan was made on 28th October last. It was, however, necessary to defer further consideration of the scheme pending a decision on the application by the housing authority to the Minister for Transport and Power for a foreshore licence under the Foreshore Act, 1933, to lay a sewer from the site for the scheme to the river. I understand that a decision on the latter application will be made shortly.
15.
andMrs. Desmond asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Cork County Council no longer have funds available for the making of loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts; and when such funds are likely to be made available to the council.
I am not so aware. A sum of £590,000 has been allocated to Cork County Council for the payment of house purchase loans in the current financial year as compared with actual payments of £375,000 and £531,000 in 1964-65 and 1965-66, respectively. Since 1st April, 1966, loan instalments totalling £85,000 have been issued from the Local Loans Fund to the council for house purchase loans. An application for a further £30,000 which was received by the Commissioners of Public Works on 29th April, 1966, is under consideration.
Is the Minister aware that a number of applicants for SDA loans in Cork are making repeated application to the county council for payment? The loans are sanctioned. The Minister does not seem to be aware that the money is not available, but the applicants are well aware of it. Is the Minister not aware that the county council have made repeated requests to get this money so that they can pay it over to the applicants, who are in turn being pressed by builders' providers and others? The county council have no money at present to pay grants.
The figures are as I have given them to the Deputy. That is the amount of money out of the allocation that will be available.
This is an important question in respect of which all Deputies from Cork and other public representatives have made representations. Can the Minister say how much money Cork County Council will get this month, May, to pay SDA loans and will it meet their full requirements?
I am afraid I cannot tell the Deputy that.
That is what we want.
The fact of the matter is——
——that the Minister has not got the money.
It is not a question of whether the money is there or not.
Of course, it is.
The people are entitled to be told the truth and they are not being told it.
Can the Minister give some indication of the amount of money that will be made available this month? If not, we will have similar questions next week and the week after.
Some Deputies do not appear to know or to appreciate that the Minister for Local Government is not and never has been the Minister responsible for paying out money from the Local Loans Fund. It is administered by the Department of Finance through the Board of Works. He merely agrees to what goes out.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy L'Estrange sees himself a part of every question this afternoon.
We all have an interest in this, Sir. There is no use lambasting the Minister for Local Government who never had the cash.
The Minister never had it either in this Government or any other Government.
"Send up the plans; we have the money."
We never had as much money as today.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 16.
16.
asked the Minister for Local Government the total number of houses which he expects will be erected in Mallow town, County Cork in 1966.
I am not in a position to give the estimate in question. In so far as local authority housing is concerned I understand that the housing authority expect to complete at least 28 houses. I do not know how many houses are likely to be built by private enterprise.
17.
asked the Minister for Local Government the amount allocated to County Wexford for housing within the present financial year.
The total amount of capital allocated so far to housing authorities in County Wexford for housing in the current financial year is £309,500.
Could the Minister state how much money they actually asked for and how much this is short of their requirement?
I am afraid the Deputy will have to put down a separate question for that. I have not got it available.
How could the Minister assess what Wexford got unless he knew what they were looking for?
I knew what they were looking for but I do not carry into the House with me what every local authority was seeking to reply to a question that does not specifically ask for it.
It was a likely supplementary. The Minister should come in properly briefed.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether or not his approval has been given for the erection of a cottage for a person (name supplied).
Until Wexford County Council decide on the works to be carried out by them on the basis of their capital allocation for housing in 1966-67, the proposal for the erection of the cottage referred to cannot be further considered.