asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take immediate steps to increase housing grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grants.
96.
As I indicated in reply to Question No. 13 on 2nd April, 1974, grants under the Housing Acts are under constant review in my Department. At this stage I am not in a position to indicate what changes may be made in the present scale of grants.
In view of the increased prices for materials and with the current rate of VAT, would the Minister agree that at the moment one might say no housing grants are being paid? The amount paid in VAT on building materials is almost equal to the grants paid by the Minister.
I agree that the grants should possibly have been reviewed over the past few years. I have had a review instituted and when I have had time to study the report I will be considering it favourably.
Could the Minister say how soon he will make his decision?
If I could say that I would give the exact date now. It may be necessary to introduce legislation.
The Minister said he has got the report.
The report is in. There would be no point in commissioning the report if the recommendations were not studied very fully before making a final decision.
How long does it usually take to do that?
The Deputy should ask some of my predecessors who were there for a long time. I am only there for 12 months or so.
The fact is that you are responsible now whether you know it or not.
I am, and I am dealing with it.
I am asking how soon?
I have already said that I cannot give any further information at the moment.
You are not dealing with it.
As soon as I possibly can I will deal with the matter.
There is no point in bluffing. You are not dealing with it.
Would the Minister, when examining this report, take into consideration that building material costs in the next three months will probably rise very steeply, in the region of 30 or 35 per cent, and would he expedite a decision regarding these grants?
I have no crystal ball. I cannot say what costs will be in the next three months but perhaps it would be better to wait for three months if Deputy Fitzgerald feels there will be further increases. I propose to simplify the grants system. There is a large number of grants for similar things which I think should be simplified.
Does this mean the Minister is cutting down on grants?
No. I am cutting down on the extra work which applicants for grants have to do so that they will know exactly what they are applying for.
It looks suspicious.
The Deputy may be of a suspicious nature. I cannot help that.
The Minister is cutting down on the grants, is that so?
I did not say that. Let me make that clear. I said I proposed to cut down on unnecessary forms that have to be filled by some people to qualify for grants.
Does that mean that there will be fewer grants?
No.
The Minister, like myself, is a practical man who realises that there will be substantial increases in building material costs in the next few months. Will he please take this into account in examining the position?
If the Deputy is asking me to wait for another few months——
No, I am asking the Minister to give them now but to take into account what will happen in the next few months.
——I shall be glad to do so.
Acting Chairman
The Chair is now asking the Minister to proceed to Question No. 97.