asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in relation to the application of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary for a house improvement grant.

There has been no undue delay; as already indicated to the Deputy, a grant cannot be allowed as an inspection had not been carried out by 27 March 1987.

161.

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

An inspection with a view to payment of the grant will be carried out as soon as possible.

162.

asked the Minister for the Environment the grants which are currently available for the repair of a house and the building of a new house; and the grants which were available in December 1986.

In December, 1986, the following housing grants were generally available:

Grants to purchase or build a new house: £2,000 grant to first time house purchasers, and the £2,250 "builders" grant, and £5,000 "surrender" grant to certain tenants and tenant purchasers who surrendered their local authority dwellings and built or purchased a private house.

Grants for house repairs and improvements: grants payable under the 1985 House Improvement Grants Scheme, the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme and the Essential Repairs Scheme.

In the meantime, the £2,250 "builders" grant, the £5,000 "surrender" grant and the House Improvement Grants Scheme have been terminated.