Architect Dermot Bannon has denied receiving any government payments after mentioning them in his RTÉ real estate programme.
A recent episode of Room To Improvement featured a discussion about vacant home improvement grants.
Bannon and the producers of the Coco Productions show reportedly received an explanation from the Department of Housing about the subsidy.
Bannon attended the real estate development launch on Friday with Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien.
Asked by reporters at the event whether he or his company received any subsidies by taking them away from the program, Bannon said, “No.”
Asked if he was concerned about the controversy surrounding the program featuring the grant, O'Brien said: “I'm not worried at all.”
“I’m sorry, but these grants are working very well.
“To be fair, I think it’s natural and normal for TV and radio programs or newspapers to do research.
“7,500 families have applied for this grant. More than 4,000 have been approved, with a maximum amount of €70,000.
“It’s about bringing vacant and abandoned houses back into use.
“It's making a huge difference and I think there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I don't understand why it's so difficult to inform the public about what they can do to get housing. ”
When the allegation that Bannon had received a ministry briefing was mentioned in a follow-up question to the minister, the architect interjected: “Did I receive one?”
As he left the terrace where the questions were asked, he added: “I'll talk to you later because I still have a lot to go through.”
But after a series of speeches and tours of new developments, Bannon declined to answer further questions. He then left Wilkinson's Brook Development in Hollistown.
Ireland
The Taoiseach was “determined to involve the whole government…”
Mr Bannon will serve as a consultant on the project, which is said to feature more than 50 A-rated affordable homes.
The home features a hidden carport, shared courtyard, upper floor terrace, heat pump, solar panels and pre-wiring for electric vehicles.
RTÉ, Coco Productions and the Department of Housing have been contacted for comment.
