Vol. 520 No. 2
127 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if it is intended to increase the thatching grant to £5,500 for all parts of the country in line with the grant that prevails in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/00]
The scheme of thatching grants operated by my Department was introduced to assist in the renewal and repair of traditional thatched roofs. Last year I introduced significant improvements to the grant levels under the scheme. The basic maximum grant was increased from £2,400 to £3,000 and from £3,600 to £4,500 for houses on specified offshore islands. Grants are available to meet two-thirds of the approved cost of works, subject to the maximum limits.
I also introduced a new measure to assist lower income households, for whom the cost of maintaining a thatched roof imposes a particular burden. Householders with medical cards are eligible for thatching grants up to a maximum of £5,000 or £6,500 in the case of the specified offshore islands. In addition, in such cases the grant may cover up to 80% of the approved cost of the works subject to the maximum grant limits.
Housing grants for Gaeltacht areas are administered separately by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. I understand that the £5,500 grant referred to by the Deputy is the level of grant available for the renewal and repair of thatched roofs in Gaeltacht areas and, accordingly, is not available generally in the west of Ireland.
I currently have no proposals to further amend the terms and conditions of the scheme of thatching grants operated by my Department.
