Does the Minister intend to introduce any other grant in respect of new houses and, if not, is he aware of the hardship caused to people whose houses are gone beyond reconstruction stage? They are not viable any more for reconstruction down in the country in some cases. Those people who up to now would be in receipt of a grant of £950 find themselves in receipt of nil.

Is the Deputy referring to reconstruction grants?

I am referring to houses which are gone beyond reconstruction stage where the only viable job is a replacement job. They get nothing.

In the case of a farmer with a family who owns his house which is a very old house and is now in disrepair, he cannot get a £1,000 grant because he owns the house.

That is not so. That man qualifies for the £1,000. An old farmhouse qualifies and this has been made clear already.

By whom?

It does not have to be uninhabitable. An old farmhouse which has been in the family for several generations qualifies for a new house grant.

Let me clarify this. Take the case of a man residing in a very dilapidated house, replacement of which is the only solution to his problem. If he owns the house and can produce the deeds to it, is he entitled to £1,000?

Yes. On the land.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I should like to be clear on this point. Am I right in thinking if the farmer in question bought or built the house in question, no matter how long ago, then he is not entitled to £1,000, but he is if he inherited it?

If he built the house it is probable that he has already availed of grants.

I have been allowing more than enough supplementary questions all of which are separate questions.

The Deputy is speaking about houses which are beyond repair.

Question No. 18.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am making a genuine effort to clear up this point. If the farmer bought or built the house 40 years ago, and it is now falling around his ears, he is not entitled to £1,000.

He would be if it is a necessity of life for that man to have a proper dwelling. If the house is as bad as the Deputy said, that man is entitled to £1,000.

He is not a first-time purchaser.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Let the Minister tell me where that is in the scheme because I cannot see it.

If there is some mis-understanding about that I will have it made clear by way of publications.

Is the Minister aware that in the past week a man was refused a grant?

We cannot take individual cases. Question Time is for a different purpose.

If the Deputy has a specific case, he should bring it to my attention.

Does the Minister's reply to Deputy O'Toole refer to urban dwellers as well as to rural dwellers who have uninhabitable houses and who purchased them many years ago?

An uninhabitable house is usually condemned in an urban area.

I have called Question No. 18.

18.