asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in granting monies to Waterford County Council for the commencement of new local authority houses in 1981.

Waterford County Council's claim for a capital allocation for new works commencing in the period 1 March 1981 to 31 December 1981 was received in my Department on 7 May 1981. When similar applications for capital have been received from all other housing authorities, the claim for Waterford County Council will be examined in conjunction with these applications by my Department.

How many other applications are outstanding at this stage?

I have not got that information but I know we have not got them all in from local authorities. I imagine about half are outstanding.

The Minister could be waiting for months.

We have asked all the local authorities as a matter of urgency to let us have the necessary details as quickly as possible.

Surely the Minister should not penalise people because other people are late in applying.

I can assure the Deputy that it is not our intention to do that.

If that sort of delay persists there will not be any new starts in Waterford in 1981.

I do not agree with the Deputy on that. We have asked all the local authorities and I would hope that by the end of the month at least we will have them all in.

Is the Minister aware that there are still only 12 months in the year? Despite Fianna Fáil's four years in office we are going into the sixth month and the Minister says he expects all applications to be in by the end of next month.

By the end of this month.

Does the Minister expect that local authorities will be able to build any houses in the remaining seven months, taking the holiday period in the middle of the summer out?

I do not agree with the Deputy. The Deputy can rest assured that we will look after all the counties.

I cannot rest assured on anything. If the Government have no money why do they not say so?

The Deputy said the same last year.

I know what happened last year.