asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date figure on the number of £1,000 grants in respect of new houses paid by his Department; and the average delay in processing these applications.

In the period to 31 January 1978, 480 such grants were paid.

The processing of applications cannot commence until all necessary information is made available to my Department and payment cannot be made until the applicant notifies my Department that the house is completed, occupied and ready for inspection. The average time which elapses between this notification and the payment of the grant is approximately seven weeks.

Does the Minister not accept that the 480 grants paid thus far constitute a pitiable figure? Secondly, is he aware that the price of new houses in the three months subsequent to the introduction of this scheme, according to statistics supplied by his Government in their quarterly bulletin, went up by exactly £1,001 on the national average?

That has nothing to do with the original question. The Deputy is becoming adept at having debate engendered on a simple question. The question asks for statisical returns.

Would the Minister agree, in view of the facts before us which boil down to something of the order of 60 to 70 loan applications a month, that this is a confidence trick?

No.

I am calling the next question.

I do not agree with the Deputy's comments with regard to the number paid. The Deputy should remember that a grant in this case under the £1,000 scheme is not paid until the house is completed. Bearing in mind that the house's foundations had to be poured after 26 May 1977, very few of those houses could be completed at this stage. If the Deputy asks a further question in due course he will get a very different figure.

I am calling the next question.

I do not argee with the Deputy's comments with regard to the number paid. The Deputy should remember that a grant in this case under the £1,000 scheme is not paid until the house is completed. Bearing in mind that the house's foundations had to be poured after 26 May 1977, very few of those houses could be completed at this stage. If the Deputy asks a further question in due course he will get a very different figure.

I am calling Question No. 7.

It is the most inflationary thing ever introduced.

It is a very welcome introduction by this Government.

I have called Question No. 7. Will the Minister please answer it?

The total number of applicants is proof of the success of the scheme.

Order.