asked the Minister for the Environment why Offaly and Laois county councils have not been notified of payments by his Department in respect of house, water and sewerage grants for December 1977 and January 1978, in order that they can pay supplementary grants; and if he will ensure that this does not recur.
Written Answers. - Laois-Offaly Grants.
317.
Offaly and Laois County Councils have been notified of all grants paid by my Department in December 1977 and January 1978 to applicants in these counties in cases in which the eligibility of such applicants for supplementary grants may arise. Every effort is made to ensure that there is as little delay as possible in issuing such notifications.
318.
asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applications for £1,000 new house grants received for (a) County Laois and (b) County Offaly; the number approved in each county and the number paid in each county.
(a) As records in relation to applications have not been kept on a county by county basis, the information sought in the first part of the question is not available.
(b) In the period up to 13 February 1978, 72 and 28 such grants were approved in Counties Laois and Offaly respectively, and nine and two were paid. A grant cannot be paid until the house is completed and occupied.