asked the Minister for the Environment if he will reconsider the Government's attitude to the £1,000 grant in respect of new houses in the light of the implications of that policy for city areas; if he is willing to consider extending that grant to first-time purchasers of all homes either new or second-hand, to encourage housing mobility and to allow greater freedom of choice to young couples as the present policy is a very active encouragement to young couples to move out of the city into new dormitory towns, many of which are not yet adequately serviced for family life; whether any study of the sociological implications of this policy has been made; and, if so, by whom and when.

I do not propose to alter the terms of the £1,000 grant scheme which applies to new houses and flats in any part of the country, including city areas. This scheme of grants for house purchase is in line with the Government's policy in assisting new house purchasers and stimulating activity in the house-building industry.

The proper way to help young couples and others who are owners of older dwellings is through a new scheme of house improvement grants as promised in the Government's election manifesto. I expect to announce details of such a scheme in the near future. The Government's decision to abolish domestic rates from 1st January next will also assist anyone who owns or wishes to purchase an older house in city areas or elsewhere. Regarding the final part of the question, I do not consider that any special study of Government policy in relation to this scheme, which is already achieving its objectives, is necessary.

Strictly in accordance with the terms of the question, could I ask the Minister to throw his mind back to another audio visual aid circulated and published prior to the election, which shows a full page advertisement and which speaks quite clearly of Fianna Fáil promising to give a £1,000 grant to first-time house purchasers? I ask the Minister to agree or deny that people all over the country believed Fianna Fáil would give £1,000——

That is a statement. Will the Deputy please ask a question?

It is an interrogative statement. I am asking the Minister is it the case that they promised to give a £1,000 grant to first-time purchasers of houses? That is clearly here in a statement made by Frank Dunlop who was the Fianna Fáil PRO at the time and they reneged on that. Am I wrong?

I do not agree with the Deputy. We did not renege on anything. It was never intended to give a new house grant for a house on resale. It never happened so long as I remember that any new house grant scheme applied to a resale. That is a reconstruction grant.

Deputy Tully.

Is the Minister now saying it was not widely propagated and widely believed that first-time purchasers of houses all over the country would get a £1,000 grant? I submit it was.

I disagree with the Deputy because it referred to new houses.

It did not. It is here in black and white. Does the Minister deny the advertisement?

The Minister is not responsible for what is there. I am calling on Deputy Tully.

The Minister is not responsible for what he promised.

I want to ask a supplementary question on the second part of my question. The Minister said he does not believe sociological study is necessary. Does the Minister accept that no money will be going to young people in the city centre because houses are not being built there to cater for them and this is a recipe for people to emigrate from the city into the new surburbs? Does the Minister not believe this is a matter of serious social concern?

I would agree it must be a matter of serious social concern. The best way to deal with the city area to which he has referred would be by way of reconstruction grants because they are mostly old dwellings.

Many people do not own the houses. They reconstruct.

The Deputy is more familiar with the city, but he asked would I agree——

That is clear.

They should have equal opportunity to own their houses. We will hear more about this. I will not let it go at this.

I called Deputy Tully.