asked the Minister for the Environment if payment of house improvement grants will be made within eight weeks of approval for payment which has not been the case since the Government came into office.
21.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
18.
asked the Minister for the Environment the average delay following notification of completion of building work in (1) inspecting houses and (2) payment of grants under the house improvement and new house grant schemes; the reasons for such delay; and if he will take steps to ensure speedy payment of grants to those justly entitled to them.
40.
asked the Minister for the Environment the justification for the withholding of payment of grants in cases where people have serious financial difficulties; and if he will see to it that grants are paid within a specified period of work being satisfactorily completed.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21 and 40 together.
Grants are paid as quickly as possible following satisfactory completion of works. Every effort will continue to be made to avoid delays but for a variety of reasons payment cannot be guaranteed in any case within a specified period. At present the average period taken between notification of completion of work and the carrying out of an inspection is five weeks in the case of improvement grants and six to eight weeks in the case of new house grants. Improvement grants are currently paid within four weeks of inspection and new house grants within eight weeks.