asked the Minister for the Environment the number and value of grants paid for home improvement in each of the past three years; and the total administration cost of the grant, itemising cost of inspection, cost of administration in local authorities, postage, phone calls, and other expenses.
Written Answers. - Home Improvement Grants.
342.
The following is the information available in relation to the number and value of grants paid:
House Improvement Grants Paid
|
Number |
Value |
|
|
£ |
||
|
1981 |
43,084 |
19.38m |
|
1982 |
7,917 |
4.38m |
|
1983 |
12,184 |
6.38m |
The total numbers of grants shown include grants paid under the current and former schemes of improvement grants and solid fuel grants and under the disabled persons and essential repair grant schemes administered by the local authorities. The total value of grants shown includes the amounts paid by the Department by way of statutory recoupment to local authorities of part of the cost of disabled persons and essential repair grants.
Applications under the former schemes referred to were not accepted after 1 February 1980 but payments continued to be made under these schemes provided the relevant works were completed and claims submitted by 30 June 1981. The current scheme of improvement grants was introduced in October 1981 and expanded in April 1982 to cover major necessary repairs to the basic fabric of dwellings.
The number and value of grants paid in particular years is not necessarily indicative of the volume of administration arising in those years. In 1981, for example, substantial work arose from the final processing for payment of the very large number of grant applications received immediately prior to the final date for the acceptance of applications under the former schemes. On the other hand the bulk of the work in 1982 and 1983 related to the processing of applications received in these years under the current scheme; many of these applications had not matured for payment by the end of 1983.
The total cost of administration is not available in my Department on the basis requested by the Deputy. The following figures represent the estimated costs of departmental administration (including the costs of travelling expenses, accommodation, telephones etc.) of the schemes of improvement grants: 1981, £915,000; 1982, £857,000; 1983, £937,000.