Vol. 257 No. 12
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government the average delay in County Cavan over the last 12 months (a) between notification that grant houses are ready for inspection and the date of inspection and (b) between the date of inspection and payment of the grants; the reasons for the delays; and if he will take steps to expedite payment of these grants.
119.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will explain the delay in dealing with and paying out new house and reconstruction grants in Counties Laois and Offaly; if there is a shortage of staff; and, if so, if he will take steps to have additional staff provided so that applicants may receive their grants without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.
In County Cavan over the last 12 months, the average delay between date of receipt of notification that a grant house was ready for inspection and the date of inspection was about four weeks. The corresponding delay between date of inspection and payment of grant was also about four weeks, where cases had matured for payment.
There is no undue delay generally in dealing with housing grant applications in Counties Cavan, Laois and Offaly. Every effort is made to ensure that inspections are carried out as promptly as possible. In some cases, payment is deferred where work is not completed in accordance with grant requirements or the applicant fails to comply with conditions governing the payment of grants.
In the country as a whole over the last 12 to 18 months, there has been a sharp upward trend in the numbers of grant applications being processed in respect of new houses and the installation of water and sewerage facilities. In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of cases maturing for payment and steps have been taken to expedite payment in these cases.
This week, four extra inspectors are being assigned to the work, and the possibility of recruiting further inspectors is being considered. The administrative staff is adequate to meet normal requirements. Nevertheless, the general position is being kept under review, particularly in the light of the upward trend in housing applications.
(Cavan): The Parliamentary Secretary said that in recent months the delay has increased?
No, what I said was that the number of grant applications has increased and that to avoid any delay four extra inspectors have been allocated to assist in the inspection scheme.
(Cavan): But the Parliamentary Secretary concedes there is about two months delay between notification and payment of the grant in Cavan——
Four weeks.
(Cavan): If the Parliamentary Secretary makes inquiries he will find that there is grave dissatisfaction in County Cavan and many people are living in houses before the first instalment has been paid. I would ask him to look into the whole situation very carefully.
My reply refers to Cavan, among other counties.
Will the four inspectors who are going to be assigned to Cavan be taken from some other county?
I did not say that.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say specifically to where these four inspectors have been appointed? Would he agree it is desirable that they should not be appointed to one specific county but should have permission to roam from one county to another in view of the fact that there may be a backlog in a particular county to which they were not appointed?
I cannot give the Deputy that information. I presume they will be sent to the area where they are most needed.
120.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will increase housing grants as these grants have not been increased for the past eight years while all building supplies have trebled in price since the last increase.
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Question No. 57 of 18th November, 1971, and Question No. 58 of 25th February, 1971.
