asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby applicants for the £1,000 new house grant who were refused because building commenced before the prescribed commencement date of the scheme now find that they cannot avail of the former grant scheme due to that scheme now being closed, and in view of the difficulties of such applicants due to delays in the issuing of Departmental decisions if he will agree to accept such applications for consideration under the former grant scheme.
Written Answers. - New House Grants
219.
The final date for the receipt of applications for new house grants under the old scheme was 30 December 1977. This date is prescribed by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979, which was debated and passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and I have no power to extend it. The final date was extended twice in 1977, on both of which occasions public notice of the terminal date was given. I am satisfied that sufficient time and notice to make application was given to persons who had entered into a contract to purchase a house or whose dwelling was commenced before 27 May 1977, the date when the £1,000 new house grant scheme came into operation.