asked the Minister for Local Government if he will revise the system of deciding eligibility for grants for group water scheme subscribers in view of the number of persons building new houses who are denied grants at present.

New houses which are built without the aid of State grants are ineligible for assistance towards the cost of installing piped water and/ or sewerage facilities. This is a logical consequence of the restrictions on State new house grants, which include £50 for piped water supplies and £25 for sewerage facilities. I could not, therefore, agree to a revision of group scheme grant eligibility on the lines suggested by the Deputy.

The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.