Vol. 497 No. 2
270 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties for first-time buyers who cannot avail of the first-time buyer's grant due to the builder not having a tax clearance certificate; and the steps, if any, he will take to protect the buyer. [24398/98]
The payment of new house grants, in common with other grants by public authorities, including Government Departments, is conditional on certain details being furnished in relation to the C2 or tax clearance certificate of the contractor which built the house. This condition, which is part of the Government's measures to improve tax administration generally, is clearly outlined in my Department's explanatory memorandum which issues to all applicants for new house grants and I have no power to waive the condition.
