Vol. 243 No. 3
asked the Minister for Local Government when the scheme of State grants for private houses under a certain square footage was introduced; the maximum amount which could be granted at that time; and the size and number of increases in the figure since that date.
9.
asked the Minister for Local Government when the scheme allowing local authorities to make a supplementary grant on new houses under a certain square footage was introduced; the maximum amount which could be granted at that time; and the size and number of increases since that date.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. The current scheme of grants for new houses operated by my Department originated under the Housing (Building Facilities) Act, 1924, which became law on 21st April, 1924. The maximum State grant under this Act was £100. The maximum grant was increased to £199-10s with effect from 1st November, 1945, to £285 from 1st November, 1947, to £310 from 30th June, 1958, and £460 from 1st October, 1963. The revisions announced in the White Paper which I published last June mean further increases per unit of floor area for smaller houses. Local authorities were empowered to pay supplementary grants not exceeding the amount of the relevant State grant on 21st April, 1924, to 1st November, 1945. The power to pay such grants was re-introduced in 1950. Since then, the maximum supplementary grant which a local authority could pay has been equal to the amount of the relevant State grant.
Is the Minister misleading the House and the country? The grant for a new house in an urban area is £275. The Minister did not mention that.
It is not right—£320 State grant and £325 local authority grant.
Since when?
It was announced in the White Paper.
Sorry, I did not realise that, with the White Paper, the grants had gone up.
We are dealing with the present, not with the past.
(Cavan): Is it likely that the standard grant of £300 or £310 will be increased in the near future?
It is being increased.
(Cavan): When?
The £325 was announced in the White Paper. It was pointed out that grants for smaller houses are to be increased to £325 in some cases and to £300 in others.
(Cavan): As from what date?
I shall have to be asked a separate Question. If the Deputy will look up the White Paper——
How is it, then, that approval was issued last week by the Department for a grant of £285?
The intention to revise it in respect of smaller houses has been announced in the White Paper which was published last June. The date has not yet been fixed.
It has not yet been granted, then?
