asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make money available to Laois County Council to enable their normal housing programme to proceed with particular reference to rural cottages.

Following the Government's decision to provide an additional £30 million for the local authority housing programme, Laois County Council were notified on 31 August 1981, of an additional allocation of £250,000 bringing to £1,675,000 their total allocation for local authority housing for the year. This was the maximum allocation that could be made having regard to the resources available and the needs position in the various local authority areas.

Under devolved procedures it is a matter for each local authority to plan and initiate any housing schemes of 60 houses or less having regard to the housing needs in their functional area and to the capital resources available.