asked the Minister for the Environment when the necessary finance for the new housing scheme at Ballyshannon, County Donegal, will be sanctioned.

Donegal County Council's application for capital funds to finance the provision of a new housing scheme at Ballyshannon must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available generally for local authority housing schemes, the estimated cost of such schemes in progress or approved at the present time and the relative priority rating of the scheme. I cannot say when I will be in a position to convey a decision to the local authority on their application.

Have Donegal County Council been allocated this money yet?

No.

Does the Minister of State realise that we are now almost half way through 1980 and does he not agree that it is a disgrace that no money has been allocated to any county council up to this for new housing?

No money has been allocated to any local authority or corporation in the country for the commencement of any new housing works.

Is there no money available to build houses in the country at the present time?

Last year shows that we were well on target.

We are now almost six months into 1980 and no houses are being built.

The Deputy is now making statements.

Precisely when will this money be allocated?

I cannot say but it will be in the near future.

The Minister should know.