(Cavan-Monaghan): I am glad the Minister is not blaming the postal strike for the decline in the number of houses. Is he aware that it is practically impossible to get isolated rural cottages for small farmers built in any kind of time? It takes up to five years and in the meantime the people are living in sub-standard, inhuman conditions.

Is the Deputy saying the delay is in my Department?

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am asking the Minister if he is aware that it takes up to five years to get one of these cottages built. There seems to be a reluctance on the part of local authorities to build these houses. They say they do not have enough engineers and cannot get contractors. I would like the Minister to encourage them to get engineers and, if they cannot get contractors to build isolated cottages, to set up a labour force or unit to build them. I know from my own experience that these people are waiting for years on the housing list and are the most underprivileged in the country.