asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Louth County Council cannot within their present allocation of funds build houses urgently needed and ready for commencement at Ardee, Dunleer, and in other areas in the county; and if he will increase this allocation forthwith.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Louth Housing Finances.
17.
I am aware that Louth County Council decided to utilise their provisional housing capital allocation of £40,000 for new works in 1966-67 to finance the erection of 24 rural cottages and that as a consequence my approval to the acceptance of tenders for the Ardee and Dunleer schemes has been deferred for the time being. There are no other proposals before me from the council for the acceptance of tenders at present. I am keeping the position as regards these schemes under review with a view to their possible commencement later in the year if and when the capital position so allows.
Is the Minister aware that in the towns of Dunleer and Ardee, there is a grave need for houses because, happily, of certain industrial activities in these towns? These are areas in which there is greater need, perhaps, than in many other areas in the county and in the country. Could he look at this in a sympathetic manner whenever he feels able to give us an extra allocation?
I am fully aware of the situation in the towns in question, particularly the pressure in Dunleer, and I will deal with any question sympathetically—this or any other similar one.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that applicants for housing loans to Drogheda Corporation must wait 12 to 15 months for payment, if the allocation of funds to Drogheda Corporation is not increased; and if he will therefore increase it forthwith.
I am not so aware. I see no reason to anticipate any such delays in cases that have matured properly for payment. Periods from 12 months to 15 months may, of course, occur, in the normal course of events, between the date of application for a loan and date on which it is properly due for payment.
The capital allocation of £100,000 made to Drogheda Corporation for the payment of house purchase loans in 1966-67 should be more than adequate to meet all payments on foot of their total outstanding firm commitments. It is open to the corporation to make forward allocations of additional loans, bearing in mind the assurace given to them of an equivalent capital allocation for 1967-68. In any event, I am keeping their request for additional moneys under review in conjunction with similar requests from other housing authorities.
Surely the Minister is aware, as I have informed him, that the capital allocation to Drogheda Corporation leaves a deficit of £65,000 and in fact, I have even given him figures relating to a later date than the figure indicated when he communicated last with Drogheda Corporation? If I assure him that in fact an applicant is generally expected to wait for the period mentioned by me before he will be paid and has been told so by the genuine decent officials of Drogheda Corporation, would the Minister not consider that this is a special case and do something about it?
I have been considering this case, as the Deputy is fully aware, and I think he is also aware of my view and indeed the official view in my Department of the measure of satisfaction at the allocation of £100,000, which approximates to what I say in the reply; that this total sum can and does meet the payments on foot of their total outstanding firm commitments as of this date. This, as I say, is what we have—and I think we rightly have it— that the local view probably has been rather astringently taken and that there is this matter of regarding allocations, even provisional allocations, adding them up with actual firm commitments and saying: "Now, we are committed to all this", whereas in fact all of this would not be paid during the present year, even where commitments are firmly met. As I have said to the Deputy, and his colleagues who were talking to me, this is a matter which could and should be rectified to the satisfaction of both my Department and his corporation as soon as they wish to get together on it.
I can assure the Minister that the consultation has been done but the deficit and delay remain.
I do not think they should.