asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the higher income level at which supplementary grants in respect of the building of new houses may be made by a local authority is altogether too low; and if he intends to change this defect in housing law as applied.

The legislation in regard to housing grants, including the matter raised by the Deputy, will come up for consideration by this House in the near future. The intentions regarding amendments which may affect particular provisions in the existing housing law cannot be indicated in the meantime.

Would the Minister not agree that the present situation whereby anybody with an income of more than £10 a week cannot get a supplementary housing grant is entirely inadequate?

I am not sure that the figure of £10 a week which the Deputy mentions is absolute.

Will the Minister say will the new legislation be passed during this session?

The Deputy means between now and Easter?

By the end of the summer.

I certainly hope so.

It has to be.

We would be in a bad way if it was not.

Did I understand the Minister to say that a figure of £10 a week was contemplated?

No, that is what has been put to me as a limit.