asked the Minister for Local Government when a small holder in County Cork (name supplied) will obtain the full amount of his new house grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Grants.
85.
The maximum special rate of grant of £450 has been fully paid. The ordinary grant of £325 was paid in two instalments on 21st April, 1972, and 8th February, 1973, and the balance of £125 on 7th May, 1973.
Has it been paid?
It has been paid since the change of Government.
86.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to avoid unreasonable delay in the notification to applicants of their entitlement to the higher rate of new house grants.
I am not aware of any unreasonable delay in my Department in notifying applicants to their entitlement to the special rate of new house grant. Once the information required from an applicant and the local authority becomes available to my Department there is no undue delay in making a decision and notifying the applicant.
Has the Minister found in some cases that there are delays by the local authority in notifying the Department in respect of the condition of existing houses and means tests?
I am quite sure that Deputy Cunningham must be aware that in County Donegal there is a peculiar situation where representations on behalf of applicants appear to be delayed. It appears that time is lost in obtaining reports from relevant officers of the health board and the county council on the circumstances of the applicants. These officers are required to make economic journeys which means they will call to an applicant only when they have other business in the area. Perhaps Deputy Cunningham might use his good offices with Donegal County Council in an effort to have this changed. In the Department we are doing what we can to help.
Are other local authorities in the same boat?
I have not noticed that they are.
The Minister did not inquire. He inquired especially about Donegal.
I did inquire.
Can the Minister say if a new aspect has cropped up now, that no decision will be taken and no grant will be paid until the applicant for a higher rate is resident in the house? I have come across this recently. I do not know whether it is general policy or new policy.
That may have been the policy when Deputy Cunningham was Parliamentary Secretary.
No, it was not.
There has been no change of policy in that regard since the change of Government, I can assure the Deputy.
I have come across this.
If the Deputy will give me the particulars of the case to which he refers I will be glad to attend to it.