asked the Minister for the Environment when a house improvement grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Country Carlow.

The grant has been paid.

76.

asked the Minister for the Environment the reason the new scheme of house repair grants does not include the provision of a back boiler and central heating in a house with a chimney and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In extending the scheme of house improvement grants the Government's objective was to secure, within the funds available, an improvement in the quality of the housing stock and an increase in building output and employment by providing assistance for necessary conservation works to houses and for extensions to houses. In the circumstances, it was not possible to include works of the type referred to by the Deputy.