asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Westport Urban Council propose to notify applicants for loans or grants under the Small Dwellings Acts that no money is available for such purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am not so aware. A substantial loan was sanctioned by me some time ago for the purpose of making loans for the erection or purchase of houses and I understand an instalment of this loan, sufficient to meet current needs, is being issued. The council's application for a loan to finance the making of supplementary grants is at present under examination.

34.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a loan of £13,000 for the purchase of land for a housing scheme in Westport, County Mayo, has been sanctioned by his Department for the past three months; and if he will take immediate steps to have the loan issued to expedite land purchase.

I have sanctioned the acquistion of approximately 40 acres of land by Westport Urban District Council for housing and potential industrial and amenity development, and my Department is in communication with the local authority regarding the financing of this project.

35.

asked the Minister for Local Government the cause of the delay in sanctioning a loan of £21,000 for Youghal Urban District Council for the erection of a scheme of ten houses at Tallow Street, for which application was made on 1st October last; when he expects that this loan will be sanctioned; and if he will take steps to expedite the matter in view of the present acute shortage of housing in the area.

There has been no undue delay in dealing with this loan application which was received on 1st October last and which is being processed in the normal way. I am not in a position to say when the loan will be sanctioned.