Last minute rush as the home improvement grant scheme is abolished but a similar scheme for those living in the Gaeltacht remains.
The recent decision by the government to scrap the scheme, which provides grants to homeowners carrying out improvement work has taken the country by surprise.
Almost 40,000 people have applied since the announcement was made last month. One man who submitted an application form today describes the situation as hectic.
The rush has been so much that I was very glad to get in today.
Minister for the Environment Sylvester Barrett says that money saved from the closure of this project will be diverted to more pressing needs.
It is far more essential to provide houses for people.
However, a similar home improvement scheme for those living in Gaeltacht areas will remain.
In Galway city, the lines between Gaeltacht and English speaking areas means that some housing estates will qualify for the Roinn na Gaeltachta (Department of Gaeltacht) administered grant while neighbouring ones will not.
Galway householders who speak to RTÉ News are glad for their Irish speaking neighbours but would prefer if the home improvement grant was not scrapped at all.
Those working in the construction industry are bracing themselves for what will come. As one man tells RTÉ News,
Money's getting scarce all over, people are going to feel it.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 February 1980. The reporters are Deirdre Purcell and Jim Fahy.
