Vol. 365 No. 4
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will confirm that the installation of aluminium windows will qualify for a grant under the new housing reconstruction grant scheme recently announced; and if he will detail the grants available for window and door installation.
65.
asked the Minister for the Environment the reason his Department refuses to allow a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who applied for a grant under the new housing reconstruction grant scheme to replace his existing windows with aluminium windows.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 65 together. Grants are available under the 1985 house improvement grants scheme for the replacement of windows/external doors which, in the opinion of the Department, have deteriorated to the extent that there is no option except to replace them. The amount of the grant cannot exceed two-thirds of the approved cost subject to a maximum of £800. The approved cost is that estimated by the Department's inspector using costings appropriate to standard materials and not to more expensive materials such as aluminium or hardwood. It is a matter for individual applicants to exercise their discretion on the materials they wish to use but no allowance can be made in determining the amount of the grant for any additional costs that may arise through the use of more expensive materials.
