(Limerick West) asked the Minister for the Environment when a new house grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

The grant will be paid within the next few weeks.

41.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that many people are suffering severe financial hardship because of the delays involved in paying both the £5,000 surrender grant and the £2,000 grant for first time purchasers resulting in these people having to take out bridging loans for long periods; and if he will expedite the payment of both these grants to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7, who is suffering very severe financial hardship because he has been on a bridging loan for almost three months while awaiting payment of both these grants.

There is no undue delay in the payment of grants by the Department. In the case referred to, the £2,000 new house grant has already been paid. Certification in relation to payment of the £5,000 grant was recently received from the local authority and the grant will be paid as soon as possible.

42.

asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in the payment of a new house grant to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.

There has been no undue delay in this case. The grant will be paid when an inspection established that the house has been satisfactorily completed and occupied and that all the conditions of the grant scheme have been fulfilled. An inspection will be carried out within the next few weeks.