asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, further to replies of 15th December, 1971, and 25th May, 1972, in relation to two applicants for a higher grant for new houses under section 16 (2) (b) of the Housing Act, whether he has replied to a communication by the local authority concerned addressed to his Department on 3rd May, 1972, in relation to applications for the higher grant which were received in his Department on 19th November, 1970, and 3rd December, 1971; and if he will indicate what further steps his Department has taken to enable the higher grant to be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grant Payment.
74.
The communication of 3rd May, 1972, from the local authority, which merely requested that the two grant applicants be advised of the position, did not require the issue of a reply from my Department to the local authority. In one case the return of essential documents from the applicant was, and still is, awaited. A further set of the documents has now been sent to him for completion and return to my Department.
In the other case, similar documents were awaited from the local authority. These were received in my Department on 9th June, 1972. Since they were not fully completed by the local authority I am asking them to do so as a matter of urgency. The applicant has been advised of the position.
Did the Minister say that a communication from a local authority does not require a reply from his Department?
No. I said the communication from the local authority did not require a reply.
Why does the Minister not, as a matter of course, reply to any communication addressed to his Department?
The communication referred to requested the Department to advise two particular persons of the position in relation to their applications for grants. This was done.