asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the amount of money allocated to Waterford County Council is not sufficient to complete the number of houses in the course of erection and that if additional allocations are not granted shortly no new houses will be commenced this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Waterford Housing.
6.
I am not so aware. Following a detailed review of the position locally by officers of my Department I made an interim supplementary allocation of £50,000 to the council. The present total authorised expenditure of £385,000 is adequate to meet existing commitments and to allow the commencement of the limited amount of new work which was ready to be started so far this year by the council. The council's request for additional funds, over and above those already allocated, is under consideration in conjunction with similar claims from other authorities. A decision on it will be given when local reviews have been completed in all areas.
7.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a request for capital from Mayo County Council and Ballina UDC for the advance purchase of land for housing and other schemes.
8.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a request from Mayo County Council for an increased capital allocation for housing construction in Mayo.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
I received a request from Mayo County Council for an increased capital allocation for local authority housing in 1975. I have notified them of an additional interim allocation of £50,000 and will consider the balance of their claim in conjunction with similar claims from other authorities, following the completion of local reviews by officers of my Department.
I have also received a special request from Ballina Urban District Council to make finance for forward land acquisition for housing available from the Local Loans Fund. This request is under consideration and I will give my decision on it as soon as possible. No similar request has been received from Mayo County Council.
Could the Minister say when the additional allocation was given to Mayo County Council? Is he aware that at present the manager is accepting tenders for isolated rural cottages without having the finance to be able to complete those houses? Is he further aware that the manager will not accept any tenders until he gets a firm guarantee from the Department that money will be available?
I am not so aware, but I will take the matter up with the county council tomorrow and see what exactly the problem is. In my files the position is not as represented by the Deputy.
I understand Questions Nos. 7 and 8 are being taken together. On the latter question, is the Minister aware that Ballina UDC have looked for a sum of money for the advance purchase of land and that unless the Department grant this money the Ballina ratepayers will have to pay a substantial bill or else the land will not be acquired?
I am aware that the Deputy's point has been made by the urban district council. The position is that for years councils have been urged to purchase land in advance for future development. Sometimes they have done it when the land has been acquired and sometimes they have purchased out of the air, as it were. I realise there is a good deal of validity in the Ballina case but it is not possible to give further information until the whole matter has been looked into, which will be done shortly.
Will the Minister guarantee that the matter will be looked into very shortly? As he knows, there is considerable development in the area.
I can give that guarantee.