asked the Minister for the Environment when he intends to introduce the £1,000 reconstruction grant.

23.

asked the Minister for the Environment when it is hoped to introduce a new scheme for house improvement grants; and if he will give details of the scheme.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together. The new scheme of house improvement grants was introduced on 14 October 1981. Full details of the scheme are contained in the Department's explanatory memorandum, a copy of which I am having forwarded to the Deputies.

We have the document in front of us. This is not a reconstruction grant. It is a grant for the provision of water supply, installation of sewerage facilities, building of chimneys to houses which have no chimneys, provision of bathrooms and fixed showers where neither exist——

A question please.

I am quoting what has been said by the people opposite when they were canvassing. They said that a new house reconstruction grant would be introduced.

The Deputy must ask a question.

I am asking one. The Minister promised to introduce a reconstruction grant. That means that, whether a house has ten chimneys or one chimney, if it is in a bad condition a £1,000 grant could be got to reconstruct it. That is what was canvassed on the doorsteps.

Would the Deputy allow the Minister to answer?

It was a house improvement grant and the installation of a bathroom where there is none or the addition of a bedroom where there is overcrowding is home improvement. With regard to the £1,000, if a bathroom and a bedroom are installed the grant can be got.

Must the Department approve the work before the building is actually commenced? Has an approval document to be issued? Has the inspector from the Minister's Department to call on the applicant and approve this work before any building commences?

There has to be prior inspection. That is part of the scheme.

Would the Minister tell us if he would consider the reroofing or the replastering of an existing dwelling house as house improvement?

Unlike my predecessors who removed home improvement grants I have re-introduced them. In the light of financial circumstances I will be reviewing them constantly with a view to improving them.

I asked a specific question. Would the Minister consider the reroofing or the replastering of an existing house as house improvement? The Minister did not answer that question.

I have already answered the question.

What about the period between 1 February 1980 and 14 October 1981, the date this circular was introduced? People undertook works and hoped they would qualify under the new scheme. Will a person who built a bathroom and provided sewerage facilities qualify for £600 or £800? What about a family who provide two bedrooms as opposed to the one bedroom specified in the circular?

I did not get the first part of the Deputy's question. With regard to the bathroom and the water, those people will get £800. With regard to the bedroom it is only a one bedroom situation and it will be £600.

Various people come to me about reconstruction work. I have told them that if it was a £1,000 grant I would probably support the Government. If the reroofing of a house is not house improvement, it is not a house improvement grant but a confined improvement grant.

The Deputy cannot make a statement. He must ask a question.

Would the Minister of State clarify the matter? It now appears that if a man has no roof on his house and only bad windows he cannot get a grant under this new scheme. He can only get a grant for what is mentioned in the circular. If that is correct it is contrary to what we were told before this circular was issued.

The remaining questions will appear on next Wednesday's Order Paper.