asked the Minister for Local Government the latest average gross prices of new houses for which loans were approved by (a) local authorities (b) building societies (c) assurance companies and (d) banks; and the increases in actual and percentage terms in each case since the corresponding period last year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Prices.
20.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report, Following is the information:
|
Quarter ended |
Average gross price of new houses for which loans were approved by— |
|||
|
Local Authorities |
Building Societies |
Assurance Companies |
Associated Banks |
|
|
31st March, 1976 |
£8,219 |
£11,637 |
£13,782 |
£13,300 |
|
31st March, 1975 |
£7,543 |
£10,397 |
£12,064 |
— |
|
Increase |
£676 |
£1,240 |
£1,718 |
— |
|
Percentage increase |
9% |
11.9% |
14.2% |
— |
Note: As the scheme of bank loans for house purchase came into effect only from the third quarter of 1975, comparative figures are not available.
Would the Minister agree that, in view of the spiralling costs and the exceptionally high prices today for houses built with local authority loans, it is now time to increase the maximum loan limit and the qualifying income limit?
How would Deputy Faulkner rate that against his appeal, as well as the appeal of his colleagues in Fianna Fáil, to cut the public capital programme expenditure? How does he regulate the two or does he shut off one side of his mind when he is talking about extra money for something else?
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Am I permitted to reply to that?
Not to reply—this is Question Time.
Is it not a fact that Government priorities in this respect are wrong and that, at a time of very high unemployment when the building industry could quickly supply some jobs, at such a time all of the Estimates should be carefully examined so as to ensure that any money that could be saved from this examination would be applied to an industry which is capable of providing more jobs, namely, the building industry?
Of course, this has been done, but would Deputy Faulkner come straight out and say where should the millions be cut off. Off social welfare? Should the housing tenants be asked to pay a lot more?
They are being asked.
(Interruptions.)
There is no need for this heated discussion.
Let the Minister look at the cost of living figures.
Will the Minister please give me a reply to my original supplementary question?
I have called the next question. I understood the Minister to say that the information would be issued in a tabular statement.
I asked the Minister whether he considered that now was the proper time to increase the maximum level of SDA loans and the qualifying income limit as the prices of houses built under local authority loans have increased to an exceptionally high level.
The position is that if this were done with the existing amount of money available—which is a tremendous amount—it would mean that a smaller number of people could avail of SDA loans. This does not appear to have got through to Deputy Faulkner yet. If it has got through, does he mean that we should find extra money? Since he is against taxation, should we cut back on the only items that can be cut back on—for instance, local authority housing?
Change the Minister.
The Deputy was not so hot himself. Alternatively, should we cut back on social welfare or on local authority housing which was the favourite theme of Fianna Fáil when they were in Government?
I have called the next question.
The Government can cut back on social welfare by taking 100,000 people off the dole and putting them to work.
I remember when Fianna Fáil and 135,000 people unemployed and 50,000 people went to England each year. Fianna Fáil should not try to fool anyone.
We found work for them. We had to clear up the mess left by the Coalition on two occasions already.
Order. I have called Question No. 21.