Vol. 528 No. 1
284 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total cost of the first time buyers grant of £3,000 for 1999; the cost of this scheme for 1999 if it had been extended to include first time buyers who bought a second hand house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29541/00]
In 1999, my Department paid 9,129 new house grants at a cost of £27,387,000. Comprehensive data on the number of first time buyers purchasing second-hand houses are not available to my Department. However, based on survey data, my Department estimates that between 13,000 and 16,000 first time buyers purchased second-hand houses in 1999. The cost of extending the grant to these purchasers would have been of the order of £40 to £50 million.
285 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the personnel who inspect and administer the first time buyers grant scheme; the location of these personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29542/00]
The number of staff who administer the first time purchasers new house grant scheme, which forms only part of their overall work, is 32; they are located at Government offices, Ballina, County Mayo.
The number of additional technical staff carrying out inspections in respect of the first time purchasers new house grant scheme, which forms only part of their overall work, is 33; they are in various locations throughout the State.
The disposition of staff, particularly in relation to those carrying out inspections, is kept under constant review and whatever placement of staff is found necessary to undertake the work at a particular time is arranged as required.
