asked the Minister for the Environment if he will again examine the position of NBA houses at Letterkenny, County Donegal for which £1,000 grants have been refused, and which first time purchasers were led to believe would qualify when purchase was being negotiated; and if, in view of the particular circumstances, he will allocate the £700 balance to purchasers who qualify in all other respects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Letterkenny Housing Grants.
1.
I understand from the National Building Agency Limited that no assurance was given to purchasers of these houses regarding their qualification under the £1,000 new house grant scheme. Grants of £325, which were allocated to the agency in 1975, were paid in whole or in part before 1 January 1976, and credit for these grants is being allowed in the sale price of the houses. It is a condition of the £1,000 new house grant scheme that where any payment was made under the old schemes, the application must continue to be treated under the old schemes and an application for the £1,000 grant cannot be allowed. I might explain also that it has always been the position that one new house grant only may be paid in respect of any house. Accordingly, additional new house grants could not be allowed in these cases.
Does the Minister appreciate that because the NBA are a Government agency, the people believed that they qualified for the £1,000?
I am not aware of this fact. I have no evidence with regard to this being done. The selling agents concerned claimed that they did not give any undertaking.
I accept that no formal undertaking was given but the Minister will appreciate that those people bought the houses believing that they would qualify for the £1,000 grant. An undertaking was given by certain candidates before the general election that this would be the case.
Which ones?
I am not aware that this happened.
This seems to be the case with regard to all Government Ministers. They are becoming increasingly unaware of any commitments given.
Would the Minister accept that this is a very particular case in view of the fact that the NBA are a Government agency, that the people believed that the houses were being built by a Government agency and the pledge of a new Government that first time purchasers of houses would qualify for this £1,000 grant? It was only after they committed themselves and negotiated loans that they discovered they would not qualify for the £1,000 grant. Approximately £300 has been paid on those houses under the old Scheme. Would not the Minister in those special circumstances consider making £700, the balance between the old and new grant, available to them?
I regret that there is no way I can do that. This is not the only scheme of houses in this position. There are schemes in my own county as well where the grant had been allocated and partly or fully paid. This is not an isolated incident.
Question No. 2.
Do I take it that the Minister now publicly repudiates any member of his party who either intentionally or unintentionally misled people in the wrong direction?
I am calling Question No. 2 now.
Could the Minister reply to that question?
It is not a relevant question. The Chair is not allowing it.
It is an important question. A number of people in Donegal have been misled.
If the Deputy puts down a separate question I will answer it.
This is a very serious matter. There are many people depending on this £1,000. Their economic assessment was dictated by so much money from a loan, so much money which they had themselves and they were depending on the £1,000 grant. This is a very serious matter and it is not good enough for you to dismiss it.
I have called Question No. 2.
Would the Minister publicly repudiate the people in his party who misled the people which the Minister and the Ceann Comhairle are not concerned about?
(Interruptions.)