Home improvement and energy grants
Burke sought details and an explanation of the proposed grant costings and claimed savings. Barry said the scheme was not yet costed and that the Department of Energy wanted input; he said the previous estimate for home improvement grants could remain available if the Estimate was unchanged, which Burke disputed.
The Minister did not spell out details of the home improvements scheme. He committed £1,000 for energy conservation and £1,000 towards reconstruction. Surely he has the costings on that?
Comment on this
No, not yet. The Department of Energy say they would like to have a say in the detailing of grants available for energy conservation.
Comment on this
In the document to the electorate under the heading of house improvements and energy saving grants it was stated that it would cost £6 million in 1981 and that there would be a saving on home improvements grants of £19 million. Would the Minister explain those figures?
Comment on this
The last Government had a costing in the Book of Estimates of £19 million for home improvement grants which they discontinued. This money will be available next year if we make no change in the Estimate.
Comment on this
The Minister has a lack of knowledge of his Department. That £19 million is being used for grants that are being paid at present. Up to 25,000 have been paid already.
