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Dáil Éireann - Volume 192 - 22 November, 1961 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo-Leitrim Housing and Reconstruction Grants. Mr. Gilhawley Mr. Gilhawley 41. Mr. Gilhawley asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in dealing with (a) new house grants, (b) reconstruction grants and (c) final payments for both (a) and (b) in Sligo-Leitrim constituency. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 577 Mr. Blaney: As I explained in reply to a question by Deputy S. Collins last Thursday, delays in dealing with housing grants have arisen in various areas because of an increase in the volume of cases arising for inspection and also on account of difficulties experienced during the present year in keeping our inspectorial staff up to strength, due to a current shortage in available engineering [577] personnel. In the case of Sligo-Leitrim the staff was increased by an additional inspector last month. The arrears in Leitrim have been substantially reduced and the staff has now been instructed to concentrate on the arrears in County Sligo. Mr. Gilhawley Mr. Gilhawley Mr. Gilhawley: I feel that the Minister will agree with me that a delay of four to five months after a house has been reported on as having been completed is too long and also that as regards a house having been reported on by an inspector, a delay of eight to ten months is too long before payment is made. An Ceann Comhairle Patrick (Clare) Hogan An Ceann Comhairle: I am waiting for the question. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: In reply to the Deputy's first supplementary question as to whether or not I would agree that a delay of anything up to five months is too long, I would regard a delay of anything up to one-fifth of that time as too long, but I have given him the reasons for these delays. Everything is being done to remedy the situation and nobody would be more happy than I if these matters could be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. In regard to the Deputy's reference to a ten months' delay, I do not accept that that is the position. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: That takes care of Sligo-Leitrim, but I should like to assure the Minister that Sligo-Leitrim is not dissimilar to other counties. An Ceann Comhairle Patrick (Clare) Hogan An Ceann Comhairle: This question applies only to Sligo-Leitrim. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: The Minister referred to the situation in the country generally. An Ceann Comhairle Patrick (Clare) Hogan An Ceann Comhairle: That does not enlarge it. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Would the Minister consider using local housing engineers, who have not as much to do in regard to housing as they had formerly, in the matter of final inspection? Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: The local authority engineers? Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Yes. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 578 [578] Mr. Blaney: The local authority engineers are fully occupied. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Not on housing. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: But they are fully occupied, so that does not matter. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: Would the Minister not consider that suggestion? Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: There is nothing the Minister has not had under consideration for some considerable time. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: But there are great delays. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: I quite agree. Dáil Éireann 192 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Sligo-Leitrim Housing and Reconstruction Grants. Questions 19611122
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