asked the Minister for Local Government the present position concerning a proposal received from Kerry Council Council for his approval for a scheme for extending existing council houses which are over-crowded.

The proposal to which the Deputy refers is being examined in my Department in conjunction with a general review of the financing of improvement works to local authority houses. The local authority will be notified of the outcome of the examination as soon as possible.

Would the Minister say if he received a proposal from Kerry County Council?

Not a proposal, a representation. Kerry County Council submitted details of improvement works involving the provision of extra accommodation, 28 local authority houses at a total cost of £45,000. The matter is being considered and at present a Departmental inspector is discussing the outcome of it with the council. While the idea is good and in many cases, perhaps, may be put into operation, if it became general it would mean that everybody who wanted temporarily larger houses could absorb a large amount of money which could possibly be more usefully spent erecting houses.

When was this proposal submitted by Kerry County Council?

It was discussed first early in 1976.

There must have been no letter from Dan Spring.

He had very definite views on it as Deputy O'Leary had, but unfortunately, we do not always agree with the proposals made by Deputies, even Deputy Spring.