Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Thatching Industry.

John Perry

Question:

268 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make a statement on a submission, details supplied, in relation to the difficulties experienced in the thatching industry in 2001 and the sharp decline since the late 1950s. [17961/01]

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

I have noted the issues raised in the submission regarding the thatching industry. My Department assists in the preservation of thatching through the payment of grants to assist in the renewal and repair of traditional thatched roofs and I have introduced significant improvements to the grant levels under the scheme. The basic maximum grant was increased in 1999 from £2,400 to £3,000 and from £3,600 to £4,500 for houses on specified offshore islands. The grants may 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 bur den. 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, again subject to the maximum grant limits.