331 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of applicants for the essential repairs grant scheme in south Tipperary in each of the years from 1996 to 1999; the number of successful applicants; the funding made available from his Department in each of the years from 1996 to 1999; the number refused each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3022/00]

The administration of the essential repairs grants scheme is a matter for each local authority. My Department's role relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of grants and my Department would not have detailed information in relation to the administration of the scheme, e.g. the number of applications refused.

Certain information on activity under the essential repairs grant scheme is published in my Department's annual housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Information in relation to 1999 is currently being sought from Tipperary (SR) County Council and will be contained in the 1999 bulletin, which is due for publication at the end of March.