Brendan Smith
Question:25 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, he has to introduce a house improvement grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21117/96]
Written Answers. - Home Improvement Grant Scheme.
While I recognise that a general house improvement grant scheme would help to promote the conservation and improvement of the housing stock, I am particularly conscious of the cost of the previous scheme. The Government's priorities in the housing area, as set out in the programme A Government of Renewal, are to expand the local authority and other social housing programmes and to upgrade deficient local authority dwellings. As the available resources will, accordingly, be concentrated on these programmes, I have no proposals, at this stage, to reintroduce a house improvement grant scheme.