asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, in view of the substantial increase in the cost of building materials, and to encourage local authorities to initiate new building schemes, he is prepared to consider an increase in the subsidy granted to local authorities towards the cost of housing schemes, proportionate with the increase in construction costs.

It is not proposed to vary the present basis of financing housing schemes.

Does the Minister consider it fair, or that it will encourage local authorities, that the present costs, over and above the amount eligible for the grant that local authorities receive—the sum is £300— should be borne by the ratepayers?

Is the Minister not aware of the great increase in building costs? Is he not aware that timber has gone up from £30 to £80 per stack, and that metals, corrugated iron, etc., have also gone up? If he intends to carry on building in this country, is he not prepared even to go part of the way by increasing the grant in order to relieve unemployment and provide better houses for these people? If the Minister is not prepared to do that, he can take it that building will be at a standstill.

Building is not at a standstill, certainly so far as the urban areas or the county boroughs are concerned. It is going on in the City of Dublin practically as well as last year and better in some respects. As to the grants given by the Department of 66? and 33?, the reduction will only show a very small percentage compared with last year, which would not justify at this stage——

Will the Minister state whether building in rural districts is going on at the same rate as three years ago?

It is not, that is so, but that arises out of other difficulties as well.

Can the Minister say that, while it was quite possible to build within the limit of £300, which ranked for subsidy in the past, there is any possibility of rural authorities doing that in the future?

I would not say that there is, but the increase over the £300 will not be very much. At the present time it does not show very much increase.

Would the Minister not agree that there is an increase of at least £60 over the £300 limit?

I would not admit that it would be that high.

You cannot charge that in the form of rent, because you cannot charge an agricultural worker more than 2/- or 2/6 a week for a house, and that increase therefore must be borne by the ratepayers. Does the Minister agree with that? If that is the case, is it any encouragement to a board of health to initiate new housing schemes?

These are matters that would arise more properly on the Vote for housing, which will come up shortly.