asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate by how much the income of a person (name supplied) in County Offaly, who is an unskilled labourer, exceeded the amount allowed to enable him to qualify for a new house grant which was refused to him; if he is aware that this small excess was part of overtime done to raise money for his new house; and if, in the circumstances, he will now allocate a grant to the applicant.
Written Answers. - Offaly Housing Grant.
85.
The applicant's income in 1975 exceeded by £115 the maximum allowable in the case of a single person with no dependants. As this included a substantial amount of overtime earnings, it was decided to assess his income on the basis of his average overtime earnings over the three years prior to application. Even on this basis his income was £66 above the limit for eligibility.
I regret that, in these circumstances, he cannot qualify for a new house grant. However, a certificate of exemption has issued to him enabling him to qualify for the ancillary benefits of exemption from stamp duty and the graduated rates remission.