asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of ever-increasing building costs, he will increase the amount of the supplementary housing grant and the qualifying level.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grants.
23.
Under existing legislation, where a State grant has been paid in respect of the provision of a house, a housing authority may pay a supplementary grant of an amount not exceeding the amount of the State grant. As I have already indicated, the level of State grants is at present being examined in connection with the review of housing policy in relation to both public and private housing, and this examination will include a review of the supplementary grant scheme.
I have no immediate proposals for increasing the qualifying income limit for supplementary grants but I am keeping the matter under review.
The Minister has mentioned the review that is taking place by him and his Department into the question of increases in housing grants, reconstruction, and water and sewerage grants. Could the Minister say how this review is progressing and when we can expect an announcement in this regard?
This is an on-going thing because, as Deputy Cunningham is aware, the question of housing costs is something which has been changing very rapidly, and therefore the question of making a final decision on it is still some time off. I do not expect I shall be able to make a decision on it before the Summer Recess, but I shall make it as quickly as possible.
Would the Minister not agree that what are increasing most rapidly are the material and other costs in the industry, which are skyrocketing?
What the Deputy says is correct, but I do not see the relevance of it.
It is very relevant.
The cost of the house itself is increasing. Nobody can deny that.
Would the Minister not agree that it is a matter of urgency now that costs have increased to such an extent since the grants and loans were increased previously?
I do not think the amount of grant is the deciding factor when somebody is considering building a house. The question of whether they get it or not is often not taken into account at all; builders appear to add on the amount of grant to the sale price, so whether it makes any differences or not is a moot point. However, the matter is being fully considered, and that is one of the reasons it has taken so long to make a final decision on it, because it will be a final decision.