asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of applications for the £5,000 surrender grant in each month since its introduction; the number approved; the total number paid; and his estimated number of applications which would have been received in 1987 had the grant not been abolished by him.
Written Answers. - House Surrender Grants.
556.
The information sought by the Deputy in respect of applications received and approved is not available in the Department on a monthly basis (as applications are handled by housing authorities up to the stage of certification for payment). Since the scheme began on 2 October 1984, to the end of February 1987, 9,770 applications have been made, 7,047 provisionally approved and 5,756 grants paid. Prior to the termination of the scheme, it had been estimated that about 2,000 new applications would have been received in 1987.
559.
asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of applicants for local authority housing in each housing authority area at the end of 1986, and at the end of February 1987; or the latest date for which figures are available.
In accordance with normal practice housing authorities were requested last December to furnish, inter alia, details of their housing needs situation at 31 December 1986. When this information has been compiled I will communicate it to the Deputy.