asked the Minister for the Environment the average delay in new house inspections in Counties Cavan and Monaghan from the date the file is sent to the housing inspector until the file is returned.

The general length of time taken for inspections in the Cavan-Monaghan area is estimated to be about eight weeks at present. This longer than normal period is because of a number of factors which had arisen due to staffing difficulties, including the continuing absence on sick leave of one inspector, and particularly difficult weather conditions during the winter months. An additional inspector was assigned for a period to the area in order to reduce the average waiting time. The matter is being kept under review in the light of the position on inspections both in the Cavan-Monaghan area and other parts of the country.

Is the Minister aware that last year the delays were twice as long as he indicates in his answer and that not alone are these delays resulting in people having to wait quite a long time for new house grants but also for loan subsidy payments? We are talking about people who in most cases are badly in need of these payments. Will the Minister not agree that a serious situation has developed in this respect in the past 12 months?

I accept that, for the reasons I have outlined, a serious situation did arise. As I have said, this was due to temporary staff changes. In the Cavan-Monaghan area there was an increase in the number of cases awaiting inspection. Following the retirement of a supervisor inspector in Donegal last year, a housing inspector from the Cavan-Monaghan area was appointed to fill the higher post in a temporary capacity. A housing inspector from another area was sent subsequently to Cavan-Monaghan for a period so that the backlog that had accumulated there might be cleared. I understand this move has had a beneficial effect there.