Denis Naughten
Question:167 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to review the rate of grant aid paid for thatching houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12887/03]
Written Answers. - Grant Aid.
My Department operates a scheme of grants to assist in the renewal and repair of traditional thatched roofs and has in recent years introduced significant improvements to the grant levels under the scheme. The basic maximum grant was increased in 1999 from €3,047 or £2,400 to €3,810 and from €4,571 or £3,600 to €5,720 for houses on specified offshore islands. The grants may meet two thirds of the approved cost of thatching works, subject to the maximum limits.
The Department also introduced a new measure to assist lower income households, for which the cost of maintaining a thatched roof imposed a particular burden. Householders with medical cards are eligible for thatching grants up to a maximum of €6,350 or €8,260 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.
While I have no proposals to increase the rate of thatching grants at this stage, my Department keeps the terms of the scheme under review.