asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applicants in County Cork who have been refused house improvement grants because work has commenced prior to the inspector calling.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
897.
The statistics available in relation to house improvement grants do not enable me to give the information sought.
898.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that people living in urban areas do not qualify for the essential repair grant; and if he is prepared to rectify this anomaly.
I am aware that the essential repairs grants scheme has, since its introduction in 1963, been confined by statute to houses located in county health districts. This followed from the basic objective of the scheme which was to enable local authorities to give assistance for the carrying out of minimal repairs to prolong the lives of houses occupied by elderly persons where there would be no continuing need for a house after their death.
I have no proposals at present to amend the regulations in order to extend the essential repairs scheme to urban areas nor, indeed, am I convinced that this would necessarily be the best way of dealing with the problem of unsatisfactory housing conditions of some elderly persons in urban areas.
The Governments concern in this regard is however evidenced by the fact that a special provision of £1 million was made in this year's budget to finance an emergency programme to be undertaken by a task force to improve the living conditions of elderly persons living in insanitary or unfit accommodation. I am satisfied that this approach is more flexible and sympathetic than a formally regulated grants scheme and that it will result in speedy action being taken where necessary on behalf of those living in unacceptable conditions.