asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate the special housing reconstruction grants that are available to help conserve fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Grants.
7.
A reconstruction grant is payable for the installation of a fireplace or solid-fuel burning appliance in a centrally heated house. There is no special scheme of reconstruction grants to help conserve fuel.
Is the Minister aware that the public are deluged with admonitions by the Government to save fuel and would he not agree that the State should play its part by providing such grants as I have referred to?
The matter is being considered but at the present time there are no such grants available.
Would the Minister agree that there are some houses, particularly houses which are old and poorly constructed, especially in relation to the conservation of fuel, in respect of which it would be helpful to the general economy in relation to the matter raised in the question if grants were made available for this purpose?
I am aware that houses constructed a very few years ago, poorly constructed houses, would require something like this and the matter is under consideration but no decision has yet been made to give special grants for that purpose.
I doubt if there is any point in what the Minister has stated. Would the Minister state if it is his intention to provide such grants?
I have already told the Deputy on two occasions that the matter is under consideration. If a decision had been made, I would have told him so. Since it has not been made, I cannot possibly give an answer.
When is the Minister likely to make a decision?
As soon as possible.
What does the Minister mean by "as soon as possible"?
I am afraid we cannot debate this matter. The Deputy has had a lot of questions.
If I got reasonable replies to the questions I asked I would be satisfied.
The Chair has no control over that matter.
Might I ask the Minister if he would state what he means by "as soon as possible"?
The Deputy having been Minister for a long time, knows exactly what it means. It means as soon as possible.
Do I take it that the Government are not sincere in their request to the public to save fuel?
If the Deputy is drawing on his experience as Minister for that reply, he is wrong.
Would the Minister make representations to the Minister for Industry and Commerce to ensure that the exorbitant prices being charged——
That is a separate matter altogether.
——for heat conserving material for houses be controlled or reduced?
That is a matter for another Minister.
8.
asked the Minister for Local Government if a reconstruction grant will be paid to an applicant (name supplied) in Dublin; and the reasons for the delay in processing the application.
When this applicant informs my Department that the reconstruction work has been completed, the house will be inspected with a view to payment of the grant allocated. There was no undue delay in my Department in processing this application.
9.
asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in the payment of the special extra rate of housing grant for the building of a new house to a person (name supplied) in County Limerick.
The balance of £125 of the special rate of grant was paid to the West Limerick Public Utility Society on 5th May. There was no undue delay in making this payment.