asked the Minister for the Environment the number of reconstruction grant applications received as per 21 November 1986; the value of the grants approved to that date; and the number approved.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Reconstruction Grants Applications.
32.
A total of 124,555 applications for house improvement grants had been received as at 21 November, 1986. The number of approved cases including cases covered by the special dispensation from prior inspection up to that date was 93,000 approximately having an estimated total value in grants of £186 million.
The plot thickens. We now have approximately 124,000 applications——
And rising.
——and 93,000 approved at a sum of £186 million. In this year's Estimate we have a figure of £24 million to cover that £186 million. Do I take it from the Minister's reply that if a set of Estimates are ever published by this Government, a figure adequate to cover the 124,000 applications in at the date in November, a figure of approximately £224 million, will appear in the Estimate?
The Deputy can take whatever he likes but, as I have said in the House before, he is not very good at sums. In the Estimate to be published for next year adequate provision will be made for the expected draw down for grants under this very successful scheme. It is extraordinary that in every Question Time the Deputy makes every effort to denigrate the most successful grant scheme in the history of the State.
It would be excellent if there was enough money to pay the bills.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister questions my ability to do sums. Accepting the Minister's figure of the value of grants as £2,000 per grant application, 124,000 applications accounts for £248 million. In this year's Estimate there is £24 million which will leave £224 million for next year. Assuming that it takes from six to nine months for an application to be processed, these applications will be due for payment in 1987. Even allowing for some of the work not being done, will the Minister confirm that these applicants will not be fooled and that they will be paid and that he will include in next year's Estimate the sum of £200 million?
It is for the Government to produce adequate Estimates for the public service and to present them to the House for discussion and approval. The Government will provide adequate finance for the continuation of this extremely successful scheme during 1987. I regret the Deputy has indulged in another attempt at scaremongering in order to frighten applicants who have applied to be grant-aided for improvement works under this scheme. To date payment has been made in 21,000 cases at a total value of £19 million. That breaks down to relatively small amounts for water and sewerage and chimney works, £0.4 million for bathroom grants, £2.2 million for extensions, £2.15 million for the fabric of the house, £10.3 million in relation to windows and doors, and £3.8 million in relation to pre-1940 dwellings. The extent of the work which has been generated is evidenced by the upturn in the activity in small builders throughout the country and in the provision of supplies by builders' merchants, evidence of which I was given by merchants a couple of days ago. For whatever reason, the Deputy persists in criticising the most successful scheme made available to the general public to encourage home owners to improve their own property——
I am merely reflecting——
——with the obvious multiplier job creation effect which the scheme has.
A question, Deputy.
In putting down this question I am reflecting the views of my colleagues in the Fianna Fáil Party——
A question, Deputy.
——all of whom have been receiving representations at their clinics from distraught applicants who have been waiting months and months for payments.
The Deputy must ask a question.
Will the Minister admit that if only £19 million is paid as against £248 million worth of applications there is a problem and will he please ensure that sufficient funds will be made available? Will the Minister take measures to ensure that payment is made as soon as possible to people who have already been delayed?
I have already explained to the House that the Government will make adequate provision in the public Estimates for 1987 for the payment of all grants which fall due during that time under this extremely successful scheme. The Deputy must be aware from his periods in office that there will always be a lesser take-up of any scheme than the amounts originally allocated and approved.
If it is extraordinarily successful there will not.
In making any calculations the Deputy would have been better advised to have been reasonable in his approach rather than to have exaggerated figures in the manner in which he is endeavouring to present them to the House. The allocation of £24 million this year has consistently been criticised by the Deputy. Presumably the allocation for next year will also be consistently criticised by him. The extraordinary thing about it is that virtually every home owner is pleased with this scheme. The only person who consistently criticises this scheme is the Opposition spokesman who has indicated that he speaks on behalf of every one of his parliamentary colleagues. I wonder what will happen to the scheme if the Deputy gets his hands on it?