Vol. 475 No. 2
113 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will investigate the price of new houses to establish the level of profits which are made at the expense of the average wage earner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4659/97]
114 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will consider with the Director of Consumer Affairs means of controlling new house prices which are spiralling out of reach of the average purchaser and forcing lending institutions to lend more than the two and a half times income, guidelines followed until recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4660/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.
Neither I, as Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology, nor the Director of Consumer Affairs has any statutory function in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy. New house prices are excluded from the scope of the prices Acts, 1958-1972.
However, I should add that the Minister for the Environment previously exercised control on house prices through a system of certification of reasonable value. He continues to discharge major responsibilities in this area which include the provision of local authority housing, and the offer of grants and other incentives for first-time buyers.
The leading practices of credit institutions for house purchase come within the purview of the Central Bank.
