asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the fact that he is now prepared to give a grant for the construction of a house to everybody, irrespective of the size of the house, if he will allow the development of a garage by people building a first-time house, who wish to qualify for the £2,000 new house grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Grant.
11.
The answer is no. The floor area limit of 125 sq. metres (1,346 sq. ft.) continues to apply in the case of the £2,000 new house grant.
Does the Minister of State accept that requesting an applicant for a grant to "remove the light fittings, power points, skirting board and internal wall plastering from the garage" is extremely harsh especially in view of the fact that grants have been approved for houses with garages developed in such a way over the past ten years?
This arises from the housing regulations 1980. Anyone applying for a grant is made aware of the regulations regarding fittings and so on in the documentation which is supplied to them. Many people still persist in having these fittings in garages and develop them for residential purposes which is not permissible.
I realise that is the case. Even though it is written in the regulations people are not aware that they cannot plaster the internal walls of a garage or put in two power points. This regulation should be relaxed. I urge the Minister to consider changing this regulation. As tomorrow is the closing date for the receipt of applications will the Minister confirm that if people who wish to apply for a grant give their names to the Department without filling in an application form they will be considered for a grant? There are many people who are not aware that unless they apply before tomorrow they will not be eligible for a grant.
The Deputy cannot make a speech.
I accept that but there are many local authority tenants who are not aware that unless they apply before tomorrow for the mortgage subsidy for the purchase of a secondhand house they will not get it. I ask the Minister to be sympathetic to those who will discover next week or the week after that they have lost out on this subsidy.
The Deputy is is making a speech.
I appreciate the Chair's patience.
I appreciate the problems that may be created by people not being aware of the closing date. On the other hand there was extensive coverage on the media of the grant scheme when it was introduced. The fault cannot be laid at the door of the Minister or the Department. Regrettably, some people will not qualify simply because their applications will not be received in time. It is hardly possible to change the rules on the eve of the closing date. I should have preferred better notice of this question, to be put to the Minister for consideration.
I put it to the Minister of State that I was so informed on the telephone by the Department and wish to have this confirmed.
I am calling the next question. I am not going to allow a debate to continue.
This is only my second question.
It is your second long statement, which is out of order.
I wish to raise this matter, especially in view of the postal strike in the Galway and Dundalk areas.
That is a separate question. It can be dealt with in some other way.
It is to do with these regulations, a Cheann Comhairle. They do not apply after tomorrow. Would the Minister accept names by telephone to the Department tomorrow in view of the fact that people with applications in the post cannot get these applications to the Department on time?
Hear, hear.
People had one month to respond or do something about the matter. I have a list of newspapers in which advertisements were placed, including the Connaught Tribune in the Deputy's own constituency and the Tuam Herald. An article was placed in those newspapers to the effect that the closing date is tomorrow. Beyond that I do not know what we can do to accommodate people.
I would ask the Minister——
Deputy, I am moving on to the next question.
I have a very short question.
I am sorry, Deputy. I am moving on.
My question is on this matter.
It is not on the matter. We are off the question.
Would you deny me the right to ask one question on a very important matter?
We have been off that question for the last ten minutes.
I did not ask my question until now because the proposer of the question was not finished.
Deputy Fahey was not in order, either. I call the next question.
That is not being very fair. I am being denied the opportunity to ask my question.