asked the Minister for Local Government if he considers the present level of reconstruction grants adequate to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendation in paragraph 5.4 of the report of the interdepartmental committee on the care of the aged in regard to the reconstruction and adaptation of existing dwellings to enable old people to continue to live independently in their own homes; and, if not, if he will indicate the action he proposes to take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Aged.
132.
As indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 63 and 64 of 24th February, 1972, the present levels of reconstruction grants payable under the Housing Acts, 1966 to 1970, are under review. Consideration of the level of assistance available for the improvement of existing houses occupied by elderly persons will be included in that review. Some elderly persons suffer from physical disabilities and can qualify for the special assistance recently introduced for the adaptation of their houses to suit their needs.
Would the Minister not agree that there are many old people who, while not suffering from physical disabilities, are living only on old age pensions in bad housing conditions, that they cannot afford to raise the capital which it is necessary for them to raise to carry out those extension works and that some additional assistance should be made available to them?
Yes, I would agree to the extent that the existing level of reconstruction grants is not adequate to enable much necessary reconstruction work to be carried out. I am reviewing the levels at the present time with a view to increasing them.
Is it not the case that the present levels are the same as those set in 1958?
I have already indicated to the Deputy that I am not satisfied with the existing level of reconstruction grants.
This is about the fourth time I have had to raise this matter in the House and I am glad that at last the Minister has come to see sense.
I have informed the Deputy that I keep the level of all grants in my Department and schemes operated by my Department under constant review. I raise them whenever I feel it is necessary to do so and whenever it is possible to do so, which is also a very important factor.
133.
asked the Minister for Local Government the extent to which the following recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Care of the Aged have been implemented: (1) the recommendation in paragraph 5.2 that a special survey of the housing needs of the aged be carried out as part of the five-yearly housing assessment; (2) the recommendation in paragraph 5.6 that a percentage of all dwellings provided be reserved for elderly persons; (3) the recommendation in paragraph 5.7 that special sheltered housing be provided for the elderly; and (4) the recommendation in paragraph 5.9 that immediate action be taken by housing authorities to rehouse elderly people in rural areas who are living in dangerously unfit dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A circular letter was issued to housing authorities in May, 1970, conveying the recommendations of the interdepartmental committee on the care of the aged in relation to housing and asking them to study the report of the committee and to adopt the recommendations as far as practicable.
As regards the assessment of the housing needs of elderly persons, housing authorities gave special consideration to the requirements of this category of persons in the first general statutory assessment of housing needs carried out under section 53 of the Housing Act, 1966. The recommendation of the committee for a special survey of the housing needs of elderly persons will be adopted in the next general assessment of housing needs to be carried out by housing authorities.
The recommendations of the committee set out at paragraphs 5.6 and 5.9 of the report have already been adopted to varying degrees by housing authorities. I have requested the authorities to aim at providing at least 10 per cent of their programme as special housing for elderly persons. The numbers and types of dwellings to be provided in individual housing schemes are determined locally by the authorities having regard to the particular needs of their areas. A number of elderly persons are rehoused in the normal way by the letting of dwellings through the operation of approved schemes of letting priorities. Details of persons so rehoused are not available in my Department. Special schemes designed solely to accommodate elderly persons have been, and are being, provided by housing authorities, particularly by Dublin Corporation. Over the past five years housing authorities have provided a total of over 1,700 prefabricated, demountable and mobile dwellings. The bulk of these dwellings have been used to re-house elderly persons.
With regard to the recommendation of the committee in paragraph 5.7 of the report, work has recently started on a pilot project for sheltered housing for elderly persons in Limerick city. This project, which has been developed with the co-operation of Limerick Corporation, will combine individual residential units with community facilities, and has been designed specially by the National Building Agency and the corporation to tie in with the committee's recommendations. It is intended as a prototype scheme for sheltered housing for inspection by housing authorities generally, and it is hoped that as a result, they will be encouraged to provide similar schemes.
Is the Minister satisfied that progress is being made particularly in regard to rehousing elderly people in rural areas? Many of them are living in condemned dwellings and at present they are finding it difficult to get accommodation in the normal schemes which naturally are catering for the young married people with families. Has he had a report on the number of schemes submitted to him by county councils which have a certain number of houses included in the schemes which are suitable for old couples?
I am reasonably satisfied that progress is being made to deal with this particular aspect in our housing programme. For the Deputy's information, all housing projects except the recently announced smaller groups of houses of six and under come before the Minister and his Department. In that way I am kept informed of the number of dwellings that are included in schemes especially to accommodate elderly persons.
How many schemes coming from rural county councils have, in fact, contained special houses for elderly people?
That would seem to be a separate question. If the Deputy wants specific information like that he should put down a question.
Would the Chair not agree that I asked about the progress in the implementation of a recommendation? I am asking the Minister to give me information.
If the Deputy wants specific information on specific details he will have to ask that type of question.
That was what the question was about.
The Deputy wants it in regard to counties.
The Deputy should put down the question in a different way.