asked the Minister for Local Government the number of applications for (a) water and sewerage, (b) reconstruction, and (c) new housing grants in County Meath being considered by his Department, the number awaiting first inspection, and the number awaiting payment.

The information requested by the Deputy could not be compiled in the time available for answering his question. It would occupy two days' working time of an officer to assemble the statistics and thereby delay the County Meath grants output work, which is proceeding satisfactorily.

Is the Minister aware there are delays of almost 12 months in respect of quite a number of grants? Does he not consider that something should be done to bring to the notice of the Department that grant applications are there ? Apparently some people are not aware they have ever been sent in.

I have no information on that.