Michael Finucane
Ceist:62 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Environment if he will have arrangements made for an early inspection in respect of a new house grant for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [10059/97]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
An early inspection, with a view to payment of the grant, has been arranged.
James Leonard
Ceist:63 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, he has to reintroduce house improvement and sanitary service grants. [10061/97]
I announced on 25 March 1997 a new scheme of water supply grants for houses not connected to either a public or group scheme water supply. The grants will amount to 75 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum grant of £1,600 per house, and will apply to the provision or necessary upgrading of a water supply.
While I recognise that a general house improvement grants scheme would help to promote the conservation and improvement of the housing stock, I am particularly conscious of the cost of the previous scheme. The Government's priorities in the housing area, as set out in A Government of Renewal are to expand the local authority and other social housing programmes and to upgrade deficient local authority dwelling. As the available resources will, accordingly, be concentrated on these programmes, I have no proposals, at this stage, to reintroduce a house improvement grants scheme.