asked the Minister for the Environment the reason recent amendments to the housing regulations revoking the condition that grant application be received within one year of the date of occupation of "one off" houses did not apply where the house is part of a housing scheme of two or more houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - New House Grant Regulations.
400.
A review of the new house grant scheme last year revealed that persons building "one off" houses on their own land, who moved into uncompleted dwellings for security and other reasons, could be in occupation for periods in excess of 12 months before the house was completed and the grant application lodged with my Department. Accordingly, the housing regulations were amended on 1 August 1984 to ensure that such persons would not suffer the loss of grant and consequently the mortgage subsidy.
Similar circumstances do not apply to persons purchasing dwelling in schemes of two or more houses because such houses are normally fully complete and ready for occupation at the time of the closing of the sale. I am satisfied that the condition requiring application for grant within a year of occupation is quite reasonable in such cases.