My Department has notified local authorities of the position of applicants under the affordable housing scheme following the abolition of the new house grant scheme. Approved applicants will be eligible for the new house grant provided they meet the conditions of the scheme, and where: (a) the applications for grants were approved by my Department prior to 14 November 2002; or (b) the applications were received in my Department on or before 14 November 2002 but were not yet approved; or (c) a local authority notifies my Department on or before 4 December 2002 that a written offer of an affordable house had been made to an affordable housing applicant on or before 14 November 2002.
In all cases, it will be a requirement of grant payment that the house is completed and occupied and a request for payment of a new house grant lodged with the Department within a year i.e. on or before 13 November 2003. New house grants will not be paid in any other circumstances. Approved applicants under the affordable housing scheme who will not be eligible for the new house grant may avail of a lower deposit of 3% rather than 5% of the sale price.
