asked the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to pay a house improvement grant to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

Under section 23 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979, claims for payment of grants under the pre-July 1977 grants schemes could be accepted only where they were received in writing in my Department by 31 January 1980. As no written claim was received by that date in this case, I regret that a grant cannot be paid.

Question No. 10 is for written reply.