Vol. 409 No. 6
126 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment if he will investigate the manner in which the application for a thatching grant by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is being processed in view of the fact that she is an old age pensioner who never owned property, and has never had a tax number; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As a step towards improved tax administration, the payment of all grants by public authorities, including Government Departments, is conditional on applicants for grants, including those for thatching, furnishing certain details of their tax affairs, including a tax reference number, and confirming that, to the best of their knowledge, their tax affairs are in order. I am advised that a person without a tax number can readily obtain one from the local tax office.
