182 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment when a housing grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [4211/97]

A grant cannot be allowed as, contrary to a condition of the scheme, the applicant did not, on completion of the house, occupy it as his normal place of residence.

183 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment if he will authorise payment of a new house grant to a person (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the fact that the person tried everything possible to ensure the builder who completed the house produced a tax clearance certificate and also in view of the fact that the houses were advertised initially as grant approved and that the Revenue Commissioners have continued to allow the builder to trade six years after the house was built. [4213/97]

A grant cannot be allowed in this case since, contrary to a condition of the scheme, tax clearance has not been provided in respect of the contractor involved in the construction of the house. This condition is clearly outlined in my Department's explanatory memorandum on the scheme which issues to all applicants for new house grants, and I have no power to waive it in particular cases.