asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that applicants for the higher rate of new housing grants in County Donegal who have had their incomes investigated by the local authority, and in respect of whom certificates have been furnished to his Department enabling the higher rate of grant to be paid, have to submit to another means test when they apply to the local authority for a higher rate of supplementary grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Housing Grants.
2.
I am aware of the method employed by Donegal County Council in assessing the income of applicants for supplementary grants. I must point out that under section 26 of the Housing Act, 1966, the method of assessment is entirely a matter within the discretion of each local authority concerned. I am informed that if application is made for the supplementary grant at the same time or in the period immediately following the application for the higher rate of State grant available to certain persons building in rural areas, a second certificate of income will not be requested by the council.
Will the Minister state if this practice applies to other counties as well as Donegal? If a person has been certified by the local authority as eligible for the Department's higher rate of grant, a second means test should not be applied for the supplementary grant. It is a duplication of work.
I should be grateful if the Deputy would avoid making statements on the matter.
Is the Minister aware that under the provisions of the 1970 Housing (Amendment) Act, for the first time a choice of years has been granted: in other words, the year is which the house is built, the previous year or the year after. The lowest income in any of those years——
This is a very long supplementary question.
Will the Minister not see to it that not alone in Donegal but in other counties where this practice is in operation the provisions of that Act are applied and that a second means test, which is a waste of time and money, is not applied?
I have not received any complaints from any other local authority. I suggest to the Deputy this is a matter entirely for Donegal County Council and he should take it up with them.
I am surprised the Minister has not received complaints from Meath County Council.
That is a separate question. The Deputy is broadening the scope of the question by bringing in another county.
Is the Minister not aware that counties are asking for second certificates of income?
I should prefer the Deputy to put down a separate question on the matter.
Not for the first time the Deputy has got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Meath County Council do not apply for second certificates in those cases; in fact, no other local authority except Donegal County Council do so. It is a matter entirely for Donegal County Council.
In view of the serious problem involved here and the hardship caused to applicants who may have to wait for grants for a considerable time, would the Minister, when making moneys available for these grants, take up the matter with local authorities or send out a circular to them to ensure that this matter is remedied?
So far as I am aware, this practice has been going on in Donegal for many years. The Department of Local Government have no authority to tell Donegal County Council even to give a supplementary grant; it is a matter entirely for the county council. Therefore, I have no authority to tell them the conditions under which they should give the grants. The Deputy must be aware of this and I would ask him to take it up with Donegal County Council.
Further, arising from the Minister's reply——
The Chair has given a lot of time to this question. The Chair is anxious to make progress with the other questions. I am calling Question No. 3.