Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael Creed

Question:

284 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the eligibility criteria for new house grants; and whether persons who previously purchased a secondhand house and are now buying a new house have an entitlement to a new house grant. [4481/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

A new house grant is payable to a first time purchaser of a new house who fulfils the conditions of the grants scheme, which require, inter alia, that the applicant did not previously purchase, individually or with another person, a house for their own occupation in this State or abroad.

However, a grant may be allowed in the case of a person who was a previous home purchaser where the marriage of the person has been dis solved or annulled by court order, the person is separated under a court order or a deed of separation or the person and any dependants are in need of housing and the Minister is satisfied that refusal to pay a grant would cause undue hardship. Each such application is considered on its merits.