asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the special circumstances that existed at the time, he will allow a person (name supplied) to re-apply for the supplementary grant which he has been refused.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Loans and Grants.
1.
The making of a supplementary grant under section 26 of the Housing Act, 1966, is entirely a matter for each local authority and not one in which I have any power to intervene. Jt is open to any applicant to request an authority to reconsider their decision if further relevant information is put forward in support of his application.
2.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ask local authorities to remove the anomaly whereby an applicant for a higher rate of new house grant may be paid the grant but can be refused a supplementary grant when application is made in a different year in which his income may be higher.
Under section 26 of the Housing Act. 1966, the method of assessment of the income of an applicant for a supplementary grant is entirely a matter within the discretion of each local authority concerned and is a matter in which I would be very loath to interfere.
The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned the 1966 Housing Act. Surely he is aware that under the 1970 Housing Act in the case of supplementary grants the income for any one of three years, the year in which the house is built, the previous year or the subsequent year, may be taken for grant purposes? In a case where the applicant does not apply for the supplementary grant until he receives the Department's grant —which may be two years after the year in which he built the new house —surely the Parliamentary Secretary should urge local authorities to use the provisions of the 1970 Act?
This is a matter for the local authority concerned.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary in saying so is referring to the 1966 Housing Act? I am asking him to operate the provisions of the 1970 Act which does give discretion.
It is up to each local authority to go for whichever course they wish.
We shall have to pass on——
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if in some way, by circular or otherwise, he would urge local authorities to use the provisions of the 1970 Act for the benefit of applicants for supplementary grants?
I shall certainly look into the point raised by the Deputy.
3.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give in regard to North Tipperary details of the financial allocation for (a) housing construction and (b) loans and grants for the years ending 31st March, 1973, and 31st March, 1974.
The allocation for local authority housing construction for the year ended the 31st March, 1973, was £289,810 as compared with £490,000 for the year ending 31st March, 1974.
The allocations for house purchase loans and supplementary grants for the same years are £132,686 and £250,000 respectively.
4.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange for the increased income ceiling for new house loans which applies to applications made on or after 25th May, 1973, to be applied also in the case of applications made before that date and which are still the subject of local authority investigations.
The recent decisions regarding an increase in the maximum loan and income limits for house purchase loans and the income limit for supplementary grants were made in the light of all relevant factors and I do not propose to alter the operative date as suggested by the Deputy.
Would this debar a person from making a new application——
Surely the Deputy who asks the question is entitled to ask a supplementary one?
Sorry, Deputy Power usually sits on my right. I was looking for him but did not catch his eye. Deputy Power.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that in effect this would mean that applications will now be scrapped and that people anxious to build houses will be forced to make a new application and the consequent delay will have the effect of not putting into practice the Minister's intention of enabling people to build houses more quickly? Does he not think that current applications not yet finalised should be given the benefit of this new legislation?
As the Deputy knows a time limit was introduced and we do not propose to change the date.
The Parliamentary Secretary should realise that this will mean that those wishing to build houses and who will qualify under the new regulations will now be forced to make a fresh application which will involve a further delay of two or three months in starting the house. If he is sincere in his intention to allow 25,000 houses to be built this year, surely he could waive this regulation and allow the cases to be examined now and enable people to build their houses straight away.
As the Deputy is aware, a loan limit of £4,500 was introduced in all areas on 25th May, 1973. The previous maximum loan was £3,800 in certain built-up areas and £3,400 in other areas. A substantial increase was made there. Secondly, an income limit of £2,000 was also introduced on the 25th May in respect of applications received on and after that date. This new limit replaced the £1,800 limit. The income limit for supplementary grants was also increased from £1,500 to £1,700 plus an allowance of £100 in respect of each dependant subject to a maximum of four. This new income limit also applies to applications received on and after 25th May, 1973. It is very clear that we are interested in people and that we have given substantial increases in regard to housing loans.
Under the new scheme would a person be debarred from making a fresh application if his previous one had been rejected?
Not provided he complies with the regulations.
If he could not qualify under the old regulations could he make a new application?
Of course he could and it would be considered.
I understand from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that 25th May, 1973, is the qualifying date under the new scheme and that anyone who has got sanction before that date is out?
Yes.
5.
asked the Minister for Local Government if a reconstruction grant will be paid to a person (name supplied) in Main Street, Rathcoole. County Dublin.
This house will be inspected this week. If the work is found to have been satisfactorily completed arrangements will be made for early payment of the appropriate grant.
This house has already been inspected and the inspector set out very strict regulations for this man who could be described as a very ill man. I think it is a most unfair decision. When this man set about——
I expect the Deputy to ask a supplementary question.
I think I am within the limits. If I ask a question I am trying to make a case for this man. The reply has been given to me that the house will be inspected this week but I asked this question in relation to the new regulations of the Department. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to reconsider the matter and have the grant allocated to this man. I think he is entitled to it.
This applicant was allocated a reconstruction grant of £100 on 27th November, 1972. This is the maximum grant allowed. The house will be inspected this week and if the work is satisfactory arrangements will be made for a very early payment of the grant. There has been an unavoidable delay in having the inspection carried out in this case. The applicant reported on 4th April, 1973, that the work was completed and requested an inspection. Due to the shortage of inspectors, an increase in the volume of work and the engagement of housing inspectors on the national housing stock survey there have been delays in having housing inspections carried out. This is being rectified in Dublin by the assignment of extra building inspectors to the area and the introduction on May 21st of an intensification of housing inspection. I hope that satisfies the Deputy.