asked the Minister for the Environment the reasons for the delay to date in paying a house improvement grant to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.

There has been no undue delay in this case. Following recent notification of the completion of work an inspection will be carried out as soon as possible with a view to payment of the balance of the grant. An instalment of the grant for reconstruction work and the full grant for the provision of private water and sewerage facilities have already been paid.

257.

andMr. L. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of applicants for housing reconstruction grants under the old scheme who were refused payment of the full or partial amount; and the saving to the Exchequer.

258.

,Mr. Timmins and Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of applicants for new housing grants under the old scheme who have been refused payment of the full or partial amounts; and the savings to the Exchequer.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.

The statistics of housing grant applications kept in my Department do not enable the information requested to be provided.