Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell for coming to the House to discuss the very important issue of vacant and derelict properties, especially in Limerick city and county. A number of people have been on to me who are very welcoming of the grant but they have some issues with it. Is the Minister of State aware of the average wait time? I know people have to wait 13 months for the final decision. This is quite a bit of time. Have there been many appeals? Have the decisions changed where there have been appeals?

I was contacted by someone who was renovating their home with their own money. They were putting two bedrooms upstairs in an old cottage. They must spend the money to get the money back. This is fine but because they must wait until everything is finished they are finding it prohibitive. Could this be done in stages whereby people could get the money back as they spend it? I ask the Minister of State whether this could be considered. Other people are in the same situation of spending the money and having to wait for the final decision 13 months later. It means their money is tied up. The person I referred to has been told they are entitled to the grant. They have spent the money and now they are waiting for it to come back so they can do other jobs to the house. These are my key questions. How many applications have been received from Limerick city and county?