asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in paying section 5 grants to persons (names supplied) in County Sligo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Dwellings.
12.
These grants have not been paid as all the necessary works have not yet been carried out. In addition the grant applicant in the latter case is not yet in occupation of the house. This is a statutory requirement to payment of the grant.
13.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that part of a house in County Sligo (particulars supplied) has already collapsed and that the remainder is in a dangerous condition; if he will give the date on which this case for essential repairs was submitted to his Department; and the reason for the long delay in approving it.
I am so aware. This case was received in my Department on 10th April, 1967, and a State grant of £80 has been allocated. There was no undue delay in dealing with the case.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the urgent need for essential repairs to the house of a widow (particulars supplied) who lives with a retarded son and who has no means except her widow's pension; when the file on this case was submitted to his Department; and when approval will be given, in view of the fact that she has nothing to supplement reconstruction grants.
A normal reconstruction grant of £120 was allocated in this case in October, 1962. This grant was not availed of by the applicant and subsequently an application for an essential repairs grant was received in my Department on her behalf from the housing authority last November. On inspection by officers of my Department it was found that the works proposed appear to be inadequate to make the house reasonably habitable, and a joint inspection by inspectors from my Department and Sligo County Council has been arranged for next week, with a view to the allocation of a grant.