With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the notice published in the national newspapers on 15 August and to the press release issued on behalf of my Department advising applicants for ordinary improvement grants that they could go ahead with their proposed works without awaiting an inspection but that they should ensure that the works complied with the standards and conditions laid down in the Department's explanatory memorandum. The purpose of this concession was to ease the problem of delays existing at the time in carrying out inspections because of the huge volume of applications on hands. At the same time the date for the completion of works and claiming of payments was extended from 1 October 1980 to 31 March 1981 to enable applicants to have sufficient time to get work completed and claim their grants.
Consequently an inspection is now required only when work has been completed. Once such notification is received there is no delay in issuing the file for inspection with a view to payment of a grant, if in order. There is no back-log of inspections in the area. The existing inspectorate force is adequate and cannot be supplemented having regard to the inspection demands of other areas. Individual cases may take longer than the average where, for example, there is nobody in the house when the inspector calls and a further visit has to be arranged.
