asked the Minister for Local Government why a person (name supplied) in County Kerry had to pay one-third of his in-valid's room grant in addition to the purchase price of his cottage which was unvested when application for the grant was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Invalid's Room Grant.
16.
I understand that, in the case referred to by the Deputy, improvement works costing £1,168 were carried out by Kerry County Council. The net cost of the work, after deduction of the grants payable for similar works to private houses, is £389.
In calculating the sale price, the local authority deducted a tenancy discount of 39 per cent from £1,920 which is the original all-in cost of the house updated to current monetary values. A further deduction of £900 was made in lieu of the new house grants and rates remission, and £389 was added to the calculation. This resulted in a sale price of £660 which was notified to the tenant.
In calculating the sale price, the local authority should have deducted the tenancy discount from £1,920 and £389. On this basis, the sale price should be reduced to £508. The local authority has been notified to this effect.