asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the hardship resultant from his placing of a limit of £2,500 on local authority reconstruction loans, he will arrange to have the limit restored to that of parity with new house loans.

: I am not aware that the imposition of a limit on reconstruction loans has caused undue hardship. However, I will keep the matter under review.

: I would ask the Minister to bear in mind the information available to anybody at local authority level showing that there are instances of natural calamity, such as fires and so on, where the £2,500 is by no means adequate. I would also ask him to bear in mind that there have been many cases in the past where loans in excess of £2,500 had to be made to meet the needs of the people concerned. We are dealing here with people who cannot get money from other sources to do this essential work. There is need to review the position.

: I had no evidence it was causing hardship. The loan plus the £600 comes to a total of £3,100 but, in view of what the Deputy said, I will see if something can be done.

: In the light of the Minister's reply to this and other questions, will he make staff available to review the reviews now going on in his Department and if he has any view on reviewing the reviews?

: The Deputy is taking up the time of the House with nonsensical questions.

: With all due respect, serious questions have been given nonsensical answers.

: Would the Minister tell the House how many applicants there were for this scheme and how many were granted a loan?

: I have not got that information.

: That is the review the Minister should have done when the question was tabled if he were serious.