asked the Minister for Local Government why money was not issued to Wicklow County Council for new house starts to date this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wicklow Housing Grants.
22.
No allocation in respect of new works was made to Wicklow County Council in the first half of the year pending the carrying out of an investigation of general housing needs in the county. This review has recently been completed and I hope to communicate with the Council shortly in the matter.
Would the Minister verify that Wicklow is the only county authority which obtained no money for new house starts for the first six months this year?
I am delighted to give the Deputy information. Yes, that is so, because it was felt that without an investigation it would not be proper to give an allocation. It is well to point out that in 1968-69 the previous Government gave £61,000 for housing in County Wicklow and 16 houses were built. In 1969-70 they gave £56,000 and 37 houses were built. In 1970-71 they gave £40,000 and 34 houses were built. In 1971-72 they gave £279,000 and 12 houses were built. In 1972-73 they gave £833,000 and 67 houses were built. In 1973-74, we gave £1,327,000 and 207 houses were built. In the nine months of 1974 we gave £896,000 and 149 houses were built. In 1975 we gave £985,000 and 162 houses were built. In 1976 we gave £1,012,000 and 120 houses were built. A number of houses were started and carried forward and since the money was already available, it was not necessary in the first part of this year to give additional money. In spite of that, in 1977 we gave £1,250,000 for housing in Wicklow as against £61,000 in 1968-69. The first year I took over as Minister for Local Government I gave them £279,000.
I thank the Minister for a lot of irrelevancies. My question dealt with new house starts. Would the Minister state whether the money given in 1973 was for new house starts? In relation to the houses listed for 1974, when was the money for new house starts allocated? Will the Minister verify if Wicklow local authority submitted a priority list with Newcastle heading that list and no money was given in the first six months?
For Newcastle 12 houses were approved and none are being processed. The Deputy is not up to date with his information. With regard to the question of when money was made available for 1973, when I took over £1,327,000 was made available as against £833,000 the year before. In 1972-73, 69 houses were built. Therefore, I assume they spent all that money in that year.
Have the houses at Newcastle been started yet?
Twelve houses have been approved and the Deputy should ask the county council if he wants to know where they are being built——
(Interruptions.)
There was no money for the first six months.
Order. Deputy Murphy must restrain himself.
The Deputy has made a bad mistake. Do not blame him for being a little disappointed because he put his two feet into it.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 23.