asked the Minister for Local Government what OECD countries pay reconstruction grants; and how they compare with Irish payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reconstruction Grants.
140.
So far as the information available in my Department indicates, grant schemes for the reconstruction and improvement of existing dwellings are operated in Belgium, Britain, Sweden and Ireland.
Details of the grants paid in Belgium or Sweden are not available to me. In Britain there is a standard improvement grant of 50 per cent of the cost subject to a maximum grant of £200 which local authorities are obliged to pay if the conditions attached to it are observed. In certain cases local authorities may, at their discretion, pay higher grants for works of major improvement of older houses.
State and local authority reconstruction grants payable here may amount to two-thirds of the cost of the work subject to a maximum of £280. In addition, grants amounting to a total of £150 may be made for the improvement of dwellings by the installation of water and sewerage facilities. Increases in the rateable valuation of dwellings reconstructed with the aid of grants are not effective for seven years; this concession may be worth an extra £100 or so. Loans for reconstruction work are available from local authorities.