Vol. 363 No. 7
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the difficulties being experienced by a housing co-operative (details supplied) in County Wexford and co-operative members who are awaiting payment of approved £5,000 surrender grants and £2,000 new house grants; and if he will ensure the survival of this co-operative by expediting all the necessary paper work and procedures so that payment can be issued to ease their cash-flow difficulties.
41.
asked the Minister for the Environment when a £5,000 surrender grant and £2,000 new house grant will be issued to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 41 together. The new house grants will be paid when an inspection establishes that these houses have been satisfactorily completed and occupied and comply with all the conditions of the scheme. The inspection will be carried out as soon as possible.
The £5,000 grants will be paid to six of the persons named as soon as possible. There is no record of the receipt in my Department of an application for the £2,000 new house grant for one of the named members of the co-operative nor have my Department been requested by Wexford County Council to pay the £5,000 grant in this case.
40.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider extending the waiting periods exemption clause in the house improvement grant scheme whereby people who have constructed new houses but have not received new house grants, who subsequently within ten years wish to install essential services, such as a water supply, would receive a house improvement grant as in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Wexford.
In connection with the introduction of the new scheme of house improvement grants there was a general review of "waiting periods" resulting in their being significantly reduced. In this context it was considered appropriate that the ten year "waiting period" should continue to apply. No change in these arrangements from the date of erection of a new house or of payment of a new house grant is now contemplated.
42.
asked the Minister for the Environment when a house improvement grant application inspection will take place for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will expedite this inspection in view of the urgent circumstances.
An inspection will be carried out as soon as possible with a view to the approval of a grant.
43.
asked the Minister for the Environment when a house improvement grant inspection will take place for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
An inspection has already been carried out and a certificate of approval of the grant has been issued.
44.
asked the Minister for the Environment if Army personnel living in Army accommodation are entitled to the £5,000 surrender grant on vacating such accommodation; if so the conditions pertaining to such approvals; and if it applies equally to Army officers as to other Army personnel.
The £5,000 grant is available to certain Army personnel vacating soldiers' married quarters. The specific categories eligible for the grant and the conditions that apply are set out in Memorandum HRT 1, a copy of which I am arranging to forward to the Deputy.
