Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a residency requirement for applicants to his Department for thatching grants; the date on which he introduced the requirement for residency; if there are exceptions to this requirement such as offshore islands and houses in particularly isolated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40547/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under my Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs a grant of up to € 3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of houses. A higher grant of up to €5,714 may be payable where the house is situated on certain specified islands off the West and South coasts. In the case of medical card holders, a grant of up to €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost, may be payable in respect of houses situated on the mainland, rising to €8,252 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island.

It is a condition of the grant scheme, which was introduced in 2001, that the house is occupied as the applicant’s normal place of residence on completion of the approved works, irrespective of location.