andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Local Government if the scheme providing grants for clearance of derelict sites has been suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The scheme has not been suspended but the level of existing commitments in respect of grants for derelict site clearance and amenity schemes is so high that it has been necessary to defer the allocation of new grants for the time being. The position will be kept under review and the question of allocating further grants will be considered when the financial position of the scheme allows.

The scheme is there but it cannot be used. That is an interesting situation. Could the Minister tell the House when the schemes will be financed? Will it be this year or will it be next year?

There have been very heavy commitments and applications for the first three months of this year. The amount allocated was £70,000, which was considered to be sufficient, but £10,000 of that is for the Ballymun housing scheme and £5,000 for the protection of derelict quarries where a danger to life exists. This means that £55,000 is available for the main purpose of the scheme and, of that, £25,000 was already spent in the first three months of the year. Therefore, the Department and the Minister must have another look at the financial arrangements which may be necessary before there are further applications.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary be able to say how much of this money is, in fact, covering a backlog? Is it not true that no money has been available for quite some time and the schemes he is talking about now are schemes which were sent in quite some time ago and which are being caught up with now?

As I say, the position is being examined by the Minister and the problem which has cropped up is being dealt with.

But it would not be correct to say that the schemes being dealt with are schemes submitted this year because, in fact, no schemes were accepted for quite some time?

Could not this deficiency be overcome? There must be a considerable saving in other Departments due to the cement strike and the moneys saved could surely be used for this work?

That is a separate question.