asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the problems being experienced by first time house builders because of the lengthy delays in housing inspections, which are in some cases in excess of four months, and delays in grant payments which hold up the payment of the loan subsidy.
Written Answers. - New House Grant Delays.
38.
I am aware that there have been some delays in the carrying out of inspections for new house grants. This has been caused primarily by the success of the new improvement grant scheme which has resulted in a massive increase in the volume of work which has to be carried out by my Department's inspectorate. Steps have been taken to overcome this problem and additional inspectors have been recruited. I would anticipate as a result of this that the problem of delays in the carrying out of inspections on the new house side will ease considerably in the coming months.
The mortgage subsidy is payable only after the applicant has made mortgage repayments for at least a year and so is not generally affected by any delays in the carrying out of grant inspections.