asked the Minister for the Environment if he will as a matter of urgency and compassion give an aid-for-the-elderly grant to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford who are old age pensioners.
Written Answers. - Housing Aid for Elderly.
435.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the scheme of special housing aid for the elderly. Under that scheme, necessary works of an urgent nature are carried out on behalf of an elderly person living alone in unfit or insanitary conditions who is not otherwise in a position to have the works done. The scheme is administered locally by the health boards which would consider on their merits any requests for assistance. However, in so far as the scheme is concerned, there can be no question of making payments retrospectively in respect of any works carried out without prior approval.