asked the Minister for Local Government if he agrees with a reported estimate (details supplied) to the effect that more than 3,000 jobs have been lost in the building industry this year and that there is a prospect of more lay-offs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Industry.
158.
The Minister has seen the estimate mentioned. It does not quote the sources on which it was based and the Minister does not accept that it was accurate.
Information on the levels of employment and unemployment is complied by the Central Statistics Office and the Department of Labour. Figures published recently by the Central Statistics Office show that during this year employment in the private sector of the building and construction industry rose from 60,907 at mid-January to 61,513 in mid-September, the latest period for which statistics are available. Statistics are not available for the public sector, in which approximately 20,000 men are employed, but no representations have been made indicating any exceptional disemployment in this sector. Employment in the case of local authority housing rose during the year from 5,190 men in January last to 6,534 at the end of September, 1974.
Statistics of unemployment in the building and construction industry show that the figure was 13,614 in mid-January and 13,250 in mid-September last, again the latest date for which statistics have so far been complied.
The Minister considers that the statistics which I have quoted from reliable sources do not bear out recent statements from uninformed sources that there is massive unemployment in the construction industry.
159.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that seven firms of builders' providers are now working a three-day week; and if, as this seems to indicate a slowing down in the momentum of the housing drive, he will indicate the steps that are being taken to maintain the momentum.
I am aware of recent Press reports that a number of firms of builders' providers have introduced or may introduce a reduced working week. I do not accept, however, that this necessarily indicates a slowing down in the momentum of the housing drive.
The most recent statistics available to me indicate that a high level of housing activity is, in fact, being maintained. In the seven months ended on the 31st October, 1974, of the current financial year, 10,598 new house grants, including 475 grants for tenant-purchase dwellings, were allocated by the Minister's Department compared with a total of 8,302 grants, including 350 grants for tenant-purchase dwellings, in the corresponding period of 1973-74. The numbers of new house grants paid, including grants paid for tenant purchase dwellings, in the same two periods were 10,268 and 10,151 respectively.
The local authority housing programme has been expanded and as a result, the number of dwellings in progress, at tender or at the planning stage was 33,800 at the 30th September, 1974, compared with 28,549 at 30th September, 1973.
In the first six months of the current financial year, building societies, local authorities and assurance companies approved 10,929 loans valued at £51.90 million compared with 9,456 loans valued at £41.02 million in the corresponding period of 1973-74.
In the same period, the value of loan payments from the three lending agencies rose to a record level of £43.5 million compared with £37.6 million in the corresponding period of last year.
The Minister is satisfied that the continuing high level of activity in the house building industry is due to a considerable degree to the measures which the Government have taken to ensure an unprecedentedly high level of financial support for housing in the current year, details of which the Minister outlined in his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 25-30 and 32 of 10th July, 1974, and Nos. 12 and 13 of 30th October.
First, I should thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his very comprehensive reply but I think it is full of verbiage. I could not possibly accept it. Several firms are working three days a week——
The Deputy should ask a question.
I do not know if they are taking holidays on the other days. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I would ask permission of the Ceann Comhairle to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
As the Deputy knows, he may mention the matter on the next sitting day. It is too late today.