Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans, if any, to reintroduce the grants scheme for the building of new homes and improvements to certain existing homes to qualifying applicants in Gaeltacht areas [29075/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the scheme of housing grants under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts was suspended with effect from 7 April 2009 due to the high level of commitments and the large number of applications on hand. However, applications for new house grants under the scheme were accepted up to 15 June 2009 on condition that the applicants had full planning permission on or before 7 April 2009. While my Department is continuing to process all housing applications that were approved or on hand prior to suspension of the scheme, there is no plan at present to reintroduce the housing grant scheme in the Gaeltacht.

In general terms, the draft 20 year strategy for Irish envisages significant changes in the definition of the Gaeltacht and emphasises the need for language planning and sociolinguistic interventions. I anticipate that the effectiveness of the Gaeltacht housing scheme and other Gaeltacht and Irish language schemes will be considered in that context at the appropriate time.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This was a good scheme. I am aware there is a shortage of funds at present but, like Deputy McGinley and others, I regularly deal with constituents from Gaeltacht areas. This scheme helped young couples to build homes in Gaeltacht areas and elderly people to make their homes safe and warm. Mr. McCarthy called for the abolition of the scheme but he does not live in a bad house in a rural or Gaeltacht area. I urge the Minister to engage the Department of Finance with a view to introducing a limited scheme in the next budget to assist the elderly. I recognise the scheme may not be fully reinstated but the elderly are particularly deserving. The quality of people's homes have improved over the 16 years in which I have represented Gaeltacht areas, partly thanks to this scheme.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy Ring but in case people think nothing is happening, the 250 applications that are currently awaiting a decision will add approximately €1.5 million to our existing commitment of €4.533 million. Of the allocation of €2 million for 2010, some €1.7 million has been spent. I agree it is a good scheme but it will take an estimated three to four years to pay out all the grants. Discussions are ongoing with the Department of Finance on this and other matters.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of Deputy Feighan. I am sure the Minister will also acknowledge him.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased that Deputy Feighan has joined the team. I look forward to similar co-operation and engagement to that which I received from his colleague, who is moving to corner forward or centre back.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I will be on the moderate wing from Deputy Ring.