asked the Minister for the Environment if persons (details supplied) in the Ballyfermot smoke control zone, Dublin 10 who are both old age pensioners with severe health problems but who had gas fired central heating installed during the course of the summer, will be paid a conversion grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Heating Adaptations Grant.
170.
As I explained in my reply to parliamentary questions on 4 May 1988 (Nos 49, 80 and 81), a grants scheme could only operate where a special control area order is confirmed following the completion of statutory procedures. Only after confirmation of the order would householders in the special control area be obliged to make appropriate adaptations to their heating systems. A press release on 26 June 1988, which outlined the scheme of grants which would be available if the Order made by Dublin Corporation was confirmed, reiterated that final details of the grants scheme could not be settled nor would any grants scheme operate until a decision had been made on whether to confirm the Order, with or without modifications, or to refuse to confirm it. Details of the grants scheme as finalised were announced on 8 November 1988. The grants scheme under section 45 of the Air Pollution Act, 1987 is intended to assist in meeting the costs of heating adaptations necessary to comply with the requirements of the Special Control Area (Ballyfermot) Order, 1988 as confirmed by me on 8 November 1988 and adaptations made prior to this cannot legally be grant aided under the scheme.