asked the Minister for the Environment the total Government allocation for local authority housing in Dublin city in the past year; and if he is satisfied that this allocation is adequate to meet the the city's present housing requirements.

Dublin Corporation's capital allocation for their housing construction programme in 1977 is £26 million. I am satisfied that this allocation will be more than adequate to cover the total estimated expenditure which the corporation can achieve in 1977 in accordance with their approved construction programme. The Deputy will be aware, of course, that it is not practicable to meet the total present demands on the corporation for local authority housing from any one year's programme. I am satisfied, however, that the corporation's share of available local authority housing capital resources in 1977 is generous, and that their current programme is not unreasonable having regard to the competing claims of other authorities on such resources.

Will the Minister maintain the percentage of the total capital budget for Dublin Corporation housing?

Yes, I have no doubt, in accordance with their requirements, and, as I understand it. I doubt if they will have this amount spent during the current year.

Has the Minister any information as to how much is already spent of this amount?

I do not have that with me, but I do not think they will have spent the total amount at the end of the year, but that sort of thing is not uncommon.

Would I be right in saying that their underspending would be more than £1 million?

I do not know.

Maybe the Minister would let me know?

I will.

The Minister says the amount which was allocated this year was very generous. Would he ask his colleagues now in Dublin Corporation if they would carry out the same campaign against him as they carried out against me, saying we did not give nearly enough for housing in Dublin?

I have already said I consider it generous.

I appreciate that, but the Minister might talk to some of his colleagues who apparently were not aware—they even raised it on the adjournment—what was being spent?