asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to give effect to his verbal undertaking to the Donaghmede, Donaghies and Grangemore residents, County Dublin, that if they abandoned their mortgage strike he would replace their present building society loans with SDA loans.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Loans.
113.
I did not give the undertaking mentioned in this question. While I have sympathy with the difficulties which the persons concerned have been experiencing as a result of the failure of the previous Government to make sufficient money available to local authorities for house-purchase loans schemes, I have no legal power to replace their present building society loans with local authority loans.
I told representatives of the group that because of the background to their case, I would explore the possibility of making some special arrangements in their case. I am examining this matter in conjunction with the other Ministers concerned.
The Minister has obviously been misinterpreted by the deputation from the area who spoke to him about this mortgage strike because their understanding was that if they concluded the strike the Minister would give them SDA loans. That was stated recently at their annual general meeting. Would the Minister not agree that to say it is still being considered after this length of time—since the original meeting he had with the association—is absolutely unsatisfactory?
I should like to put on the record of the House a more extended note which is here relating to the alleged undertaking.
Is it only alleged?
It is denied in this context. The Minister said he would have the matter examined to ascertain whether there was any means available by which their situation could be improved. There is no record, however, of an undertaking, verbal or otherwise, that he would arrange to have the building society loans replaced by SDA loans. That is the note as I have it.
This is an important item for people in this area because obviously, there is a misunderstanding about it which will have to be clarified through the Minister's office. Would the Minister say when he will be in a position to make a decision in regard to this review of the situation which has been undertaken? It has been in progress for months now. It is a very urgent matter for the people affected. It runs into hundreds of householders.
I do appreciate the difficulty. I can convey that sense of urgency the Deputy has expressed.
Question No. 114.
With due respect, that does not say when an answer will be given.
The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to give that undertaking.
I do not think it good enough that the Minister for Local Government is not here to answer his questions. When questions are put down to the Minister for Industry and Commerce he leaves the House and the Parliamentary Secretary remains to answer. He comes back, then, to answer the Minister for Local Government's questions. The Minister for Local Government disappeared conveniently. Is it going to be the practice of the Government to evade answering questions put down to them? That is a bit ominous.
That is the normal procedure. Question No. 114.