asked the Minister for Local Government if he will authorise an increase in housing grants to offset the sudden large increase in the price of timber.

The levels of housing grants are continually under review in my Department. New house grants were revised under the Housing Act, 1970, and a further revision is not contemplated immediately. A national housing stock survey and a comprehensive review of the scheme of reconstruction grants paid by my Department are being undertaken. When the results of these are available, I will consider what revision should be made in that scheme.

90.

asked the Minister for Local Government the number of new house grants allocated and the number paid in May, 1973.

The number of new house grants allocated in the month of May, 1973, was 1,068 and the number paid was 1,339.

91.

andMr. G. Lynch asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to consider raising the qualifying income level for local authority new house grants.

I recently increased the maximum qualifying income limit for eligibility for local authority supplementary grants in respect of new houses to £1,700 plus £100 for each dependent up to a maximum of £400. As I indicated when announcing these increases on the 25th May I am keeping the income limits of the local authority loans and grants schemes under continuous review.

92.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will remove the income qualification limit on supplementary new house grants and allow local authorities to pay such grants on a floor area limit.

The removal of the supplementary grant qualifying income limit to allow payment of supplementary grants solely on a floor area basis would be in conflict with the purpose of the grants, which is to assist people of modest means to build or buy their own houses. I do not, therefore, propose to alter this present method of determining eligibility for such grants.

The Minister is no doubt aware that he imposes a condition on county council grants that does not apply to local government grants. I realise that he has reason for doing that, but is he aware that this type of condition leads to endless investigations and very heavy expenditure by the clerical staff in time and money? One wonders whether it is really worth it.

No. I did not impose this; I inherited it. Quite frankly, I do not see that it makes much difference with regard to the investigation being carried out. However, there is a point to which the Deputy has not adverted, that is, that very often people who are just slightly over the limit are ruled out. If he has any special cases in mind he might bring them to my notice and I will have them looked into.

Would the Minister agree that the business of government is ever evolving, changing from month to month?

Yes, and Governments are evolving, too.

In regard to this matter of limits and income for qualifying or not qualifying for these grants, may I ask the Minister to apply the criteria he announced recently in regard to the renting system which he has amended in relation to the differential rents? Could that be imposed or superimposed on the existing regulations and widen them to that degree in the same manner?

Deputy Blaney, as a former Minister for Local Government, is aware that that would be an extremely complicated exercise to carry out. At present I am having a look at all aspects of housing and I will be glad to bear that suggestion in mind.

Widen it even a wee bit.

A wee bit, perhaps.

No doubt the Minister realises that anything which would entice people to build their own houses is to be recommended rather than expecting the local authorities to build houses for them. It would appear that the recent regulations will make it much easier for a person to rent a house rather than build his own house.

The Deputy must be aware of the fact that the recent arrangements I made with regard to loans and supplementary grants have made it possible for people who would not have been able to build their own houses to do so. The Deputy should give credit for that. I should not like to see someone trying to start a vendetta between people who rent houses and those who buy houses because I hope eventually every tenant will be able to buy his own house.

Would the Minister agree that in the new situation a newly-married couple could find themselves paying one-quarter of their weekly wage to satisfy SDA loan repayments?

It depends entirely on the amount of loan they seek. I do not think a local authority would loan such a sum if it meant that amount of income was tied up in loan repayments.

The maximum for a supplementary grant is £1,700, which is £34 per week. If a newly-married couple get a grant and a maximum loan they are paying back £450 per annum, which is one-quarter of their salary.

It would not be possible to borrow £4,500 on that wage. Most local authorities will not give more than two-and-a-quarter times the yearly income by way of loan. The Deputy must be aware of this.

If that is the case, what is the point in talking about the great advantage of being able to borrow £4,500?

It is a pity some Deputies in this House are not prepared to give credit where it is due. Many people will give that credit, whether Deputy Tunney likes it or not.

The Minister should not get so hot and bothered about it.

I never get hot and bothered about anything the Deputy says.

That is the trouble— I am afraid the Minister does get hot and bothered.

The Minister was very quiet a little while ago——

I am calling Question No. 93.

The Deputy was too noisy on the night the alleged promise was made and that is why he is sitting over there.

The Chair is not allowing any further supplementaries on this question. I am calling Question No. 93.