asked the Minister for the Environment the reason a house improvement grant was not allowed to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24.

The application was re-examined in the light of further information received from the applicant and a grant of £800 has now been approved.

30.

asked the Minister for the Environment when a first inspection for a house improvement grant will be carried out for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.

The application in this case, which related to a grant for a pre-1940 house was covered by the dispensation from prior inspection announced last February. Inspection of the house, following the completion of the works undertaken revealed that the cost of the work was substantially below the threshold of £4,000 which is specified in paragraph 12 of memorandum HA2 dealing with improvement grants. Consequently, it is not possible to allow a pre-1940 grant in respect of the work.

31.

asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in a new house grant inspection for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.

Arrangements are being made to carry out the necessary inspection, by appointment, within the next few weeks.

32.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider making changes in the regulations regarding payments of home improvement scheme grants where these grants are for the provision of thatched roofs, on the grounds that works can only be carried out at particular times of the year, are dependent on extremely limited numbers of skilled thatchers, and that such roofs should be preserved where possible, as they have a particular intrinsic value for tourism.

I have no proposals to amend the scheme in relation to thatching. The position is that any necessary thatching of roofs is work that qualifies for grants, subject to compliance with the normal conditions of the scheme.

33.

asked the Minister for the Environment when a home improvement grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.

On receipt of notification of completion of works, an inspection will be arranged with a view to payment of the grant.