asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange for an increase in a house improvement grant which was sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Galway in view of the special circumstances pertaining to his case.

The applicant's claim for an increased grant is being investigated and he will be informed of the outcome in due course.

222.

asked the Minister for the Environment if a decision will be made without delay on the application of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for an improvement grant as work had started because of overcrowding when an inspector called.

The application in this case was for the installation of sewerage facilities and the provision of a bathroom and an extra bedroom. Grants for the bathroom and sewerage facilities cannot be allowed as these already exist in the house. A grant for the extra bedroom cannot be allowed because, contrary to a qualifying condition of the scheme, the work had commenced before an inspection of the house was carried out. The applicant has been so informed.

223.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of expenditure on library buildings in each country in the financial year 1982.

In general, expenditure by library authorities on the provision and improvement of library buildings derives from capital allocated by my Department for this purpose. The following are details of capital allocations in 1982 for library development:

Library authorities also incur expenditure from their own resource on the maintenance and, in some cases, provision and improvement of library buildings but details of such expenditure are not available in my Department.

224.

asked the Minister for the Environment the position regarding an application for a new house grant by a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has submitted revised drawings of the proposed dwellinghouse.

There is no record in my Department of the receipt of an application for a new house grant from the person named. There is, however, an application from a person with the same name but of a different address. The position in that case is that the file is with my Department's inspector for report with a view to approval of a grant.

225.

asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in approving the tender for Galway Corporation's housing scheme at Headford Road, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am not aware of any undue delay in approving the tender in question. The tender recommended for acceptance is currently under examination in my Department and tender approval should issue shortly.