asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the reduction in the floor area of new houses in order to qualify for grants and remission of rates.
Written Answers. - House Grants and Rates.
72.
The reduction, from 1,500 to 1,249 square feet, in the maximum floor area of houses qualifying for grants under the Housing Acts was one of a number of changes made in relation to the grants by the Housing Act, 1970. The Act also increased the maximum grants and changed the basis of calculating grants from the number of rooms in a house to the floor area of the house. The purpose of the changes was to encourage the building of the moderately sized houses for which there was—and is—greatest need and demand to ensure that a greater number of dwellings are provided for the amount of capital spent on housing, and to promote greater flexibility of design according to modern tastes and requirements.