asked the Minister for Local Government if it is a fact that grants for the clearance of derelict sites have been suspended or put in abeyance; and, if so, the reasons for such decision.

45.

(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government how many applications are on the waiting list under the derelict sites grant scheme; if it is a fact that this scheme has been suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With your permission a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

There are 640 applications for derelict site grants at present before my Department.

The position about the grants scheme has not altered since my reply on 29th July last to a question by Deputies Fox and Bruton except that payments during the current year now stand at £31,500 and the balance available is likely to be required to meet payments on amenity and derelict site schemes already completed or nearing completion. Accordingly further allocations will depend on the amount of money likely to be available in the coming year and this is at present under consideration.

(Cavan): Is it not a fact that the Minister's Department are at present replying to queries on this subject to the effect that the scheme is suspended for the time being, or at any rate that no further applications can be dealt with for the time being, which is the same thing? Will the Minister agree that the fact that the scheme is in force but not in operation is delaying and postponing the clearing up of these derelict sites? Does the Minister not think that he should allow the scheme to operate normally?

I think what we are doing is the sensible thing. If there is a backlog we would like to see that cleared before we accept any new applications. There is a certain limit on the moneys available for all of these schemes and the number of applications that are there at the moment would use up more than what has been made available in this financial year. We have advised local authorities to put applications in abeyance for the time being until we clear the backlog.

(Cavan): Can the Minister say what the waiting time is?

I do not think I would be able to say that.

(Cavan): The Minister should be able to say that.

It is not possible. There are too many factors involved.

(Cavan): It is in abeyance, anyway.