Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1990

Vol. 396 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fuel Conversion Grants.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

165 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the severe hardship being caused to purchasers of former Dublin Corporation dwellings in the Smoke Control Zone Area of Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, who, under the scheme approved by him for grants for conversion to meet the requirement of the Air Pollution Acts for Smoke Control Zone Orders, are receiving less substantial grants than tenants or tenant purchasers; and if, in view of cases such as that of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10, he will increase the rate of grant.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

166 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment the reason purchasers, as distinct from tenant purchasers, receive a less substantial amount of grant for conversion to heating appliances to meet the requirements of the Smoke Control Zone Order in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, especially in view of the fact that most purchasers are on a much higher mortgage and much higher monthly mortgage repayments than tenants as in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if, in view of the hardship involved, he will vary the grant scheme in order that purchasers with higher mortgages will qualify for the same grant as tenant purchasers.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

167 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if he will vary the provision of the grant scheme in place for conversion to heating appliances consistent with the Smoke Control Zone Orders under the Air Pollution Act in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10; and if, in particular, he will consider the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 10.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

175 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if he will vary the regulations he made in relation to the payment of grants for conversion to meet the requirements of the Smoke Control Zone Areas Order in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10; and, in particular, if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Miss Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 166, 167 and 175 together.

The administration of the schemes of financial assistance made under section 45 of the Air Pollution Act, 1987, in respect of special control areas, is a matter for Dublin Corporation which has full responsibility for dealing with individual applications under these schemes. The grants schemes offer generous assistance to eligible applicants in meeting the costs of heating adaptations which are necessary in order to comply with the requirements of special control area orders and I have no proposals to vary the terms of these schemes.