asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the serious problems being experienced with the DOMUS type houses built by the National Builders' Association; to the fact that the roof of one such house in Newport, County Tipperary, recently caved in following heavy rain; if he will provide a scheme of grants to allow such houses to be reconstructed to an acceptable standard of safety and comfort; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

145.

asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the roof of a council house in Marian Estate, Newport, County Tipperary caved in after heavy rains recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

The management, maintenance and improvement of their dwellings is the responsibility of local authorities. Grant assistance is available under my Department's remedial works scheme to assist them in undertaking major structural works to certain of their rented dwellings including those referred to by the Deputy. It is, however, a matter for authorities to formulate proposals for such works and to submit them to my Department for consideration. Regarding the dwellings at Newport, a revised proposal was recently received and is being examined. I had already allocated £80,000 to the county council in respect of this estate in 1989.