11.—(1) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and subject to such regulations as may be made by the Minister for the purposes of this section, pay, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, a grant to a person in respect of a new house.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations made under this section may provide for all or any of the following:

(a) the class or classes of person to whom a grant may be paid;

(b) the amount of a grant including the payment of different amounts in different circumstances and subject to those conditions that the Minister may prescribe, including conditions relating to:

(i) standards of construction of houses and the provision of water, sewerage and other services;

(ii) the efficient consumption of energy, including the use of renewable forms of energy;

(iii) sustainable building practices, including the use of recycled or re-usable building materials and the storage, removal, recycling or re-use of builder's waste;

(c) eligibility criteria, including criteria in relation to:

(i) the occupation of the house;

(ii) payment of a grant to persons who have previously purchased or built another house for occupation by them;

(iii) the family, income or other financial circumstances of a person applying for a grant;

(iv) the information and documentation required to be provided by a person applying for a grant;

(v) requirements in relation to the payment of any other grant or subsidy in respect of a house under any enactment (including this Act);

(d) the total floor area of the house determined in the prescribed manner.

(3) Compliance with the conditions referred to in subsection (2)(b)(i) is a condition precedent to the making of a grant under this section.