asked the Minister for the Environment when the conditions pertaining to house improvement grants will be reviewed.

11.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will establish a committee to re-assess the whole question of house improvement grants with particular reference to clauses which militate against rural areas.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.

A review of the house improvement grants scheme is not at present contemplated. The scheme, which was introduced in October 1981 and expanded to include an additional category of works in April 1982, is of general application throughout the country. There are therefore, no clauses which militate against rural areas as suggested by the Deputy.

A number of applicants for house improvement grants were refused because they had commenced work prior to the date outlined when the scheme commenced and in view of the fact that very few people are involved will the Minister consider incorporating such people under the terms of the scheme? I am sure the Minister is aware that many people in rural areas did not see the advertisements in the national newspapers outlining details of the scheme and this led to some applications being rejected.

I sympathise with the sentiments expressed by the Deputy. My information is that already 2,000 applications have been refused or turned down on grounds such as the Deputy referred to. I understand that initially upwards of 30 per cent of the applications received by the Department for such grants were rejected on the grounds that work had started before the inspector arrived on the site. In those circumstances, and in view of the fact that at least three of my predecessors held the line in regard to relaxation of the terms of the scheme because a change would create a precedent, I am not prepared to accept the Deputy's proposal. I am aware of the difficulties.

Will the Minister say whether in some circumstances his Department would be justified approving payment of grants in emergency cases?

The Deputy has tabled a question in regard to that matter and I will deal with it later.

12.