Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

99 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of new house grants paid to applicants in Gaeltacht areas in respect of each of the past five years; the average amount paid; the criteria used to determine eligibility for such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24454/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I assume the Deputy is referring to grants paid under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts. The number of new houses completed with assistance under the Acts, as well as the expenditure involved in the last five years, is set out as follows:

Year	Houses completed	Expenditure
2002 (to 31/10/02)	164	€901,403
2001	123	€733,150
2000	121	€660,100
1999	127	€585,060
1998	98	€452,715
1997	115	€588,765

The new house grant under the Acts –€5,100 in mainland Gaeltacht areas and €15,300 on Gaeltacht islands – is paid by my Department to qualified applicants who speak Irish as the normal language of their household and who do not possess a habitable house in the Gaeltacht. The maximum grant is paid to applicants in the vast majority of cases.