Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of a recent High Court case in which an applicant for a housing grant was rejected due to the fact it was received after the closing date; the details of the judgment made by the High Court. [17851/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The New House Grant Scheme, which was administered by my Department, was terminated on 14 November, 2002. In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (New House Grant etc.) Regulations 1990 (Amendment) Regulations 2002 a grant could only be paid where, inter alia, a contract to purchase or to build a house was entered into on or before 14 November, 2002 and where an application had been received in my Department on or before 4 December, 2002.

In the case of a couple who were refused a grant on the basis that a contract to purchase had not been entered into by the prescribed date, legal proceedings were issued against the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Finance, seeking payment of the grant. On 19 October, 2009, the matter came before the High Court and the decision of my Department to refuse the grant was upheld.