asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the excessive delay in the payment of a housing grant to a person in Glengarriff Road, Bantry; and, if so, if he will ensure that immediate payment will be made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grant Delay.
The preliminary stages of this case were dealt with in the local office of the Cork County Council and the applicant was notified of the allocation of a grant of £72. At a later stage it was ascertained in the Department that a grant in respect of the house had been paid previously in 1934 and that the applicant was not eligible for a grant in respect of the further work of reconstruction carried out by him. Consideration has, however, been given to the possibility of making a payment under the terms of Section 25 of the 1952 Act. The consent of the Minister for Finance to this course has been sought and a decision will be communicated to the applicant as soon as possible.
We are awaiting the decision of the Minister for Finance for the last, at least, I believe, eight months and surely the Minister will agree that in a relatively small matter like that there is no sense in taking eight months to decide it.
I think it is not as long as the Deputy says. In April the matter began to receive active consideration.
We are awaiting the decision eight months.