asked the Minister for the Environment, in view of the success of the scheme operated by the health boards in improving housing conditions for the elderly, if he will ensure that the allocation is continued in 1984.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Elderly.
3.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a further £1 million is being made available to the Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly in 1984.
This has been a very successful scheme. Will the Minister consider carrying out a cost-benefit analysis of the work to date? Will he ask the people who are administering the scheme, the health boards in conjunction with the councils, to carry out an assessment of what is still required? If the Minister could give a commitment with regard to funding future work it would be of enormous benefit; it would improve the houses in question and help the elderly people who use them.
I agree that the scheme is excellent and the Government have given considerable funding towards it. Because of its success I should like to think the scheme will be ongoing. It provides a valuable service for the elderly. The fact that it is done through the health boards is important because the community care people know the problems. Very often elderly people do not know of their entitlements and the community care people can help in this area. I have often heard people say the matter should be dealt with by local authorities but I believe it is better to leave it with the health boards. I take the point made by the Deputy but I would point out that the Government have the will to help in this area.
Is the Minister aware that to date the scheme has dealt only with old age pensioners? There are many people who qualify for invalidity and disabled persons' allowances who are not catered for by the scheme. If there were a commitment by the Government to include them, the scheme would be an outstanding success.
I wish to ask the Minister a question on this matter.
I wish to point out that the question merely asks that the scheme be continued in 1984.
In view of the experience gained in operating the scheme, does the Minister agree with me that there is a need for some changes in the administration of the scheme? There is a long delay between the time an elderly person makes the application for assistance under the scheme and the time the work is carried out. In my experience in the Galway area there are delays of from nine to 12 months from the time an elderly person discovers there is a scheme in existence and when that assistance is given. Incidentally, the scheme was brought in by Fianna Fáil and we are pleased the Government are continuing with it. However, some changes are necessary. There is confusion in the administration of the scheme because of the involvement of health board officials and of local authority officials. Much time is wasted in the administrative area which could be eliminated. I ask the Minister to review the operation of the scheme. Will he consider handing it over completely to the local authorities and removing the health boards from operating it? There should be enough experience gained now to have confidence that the local authorities can manage this scheme.
I do not think anyone could stand over delays of six or nine months.
That has been my experience.
I am not doubting what the Deputy has said. I will have the matter investigated. If a person reports a problem to the local authority and if he or she qualifies for the necessary funding the matter should be dealt with quickly. With regard to handing it over to the local authorities, as I have indicated, the community care people are meeting the elderly. They know the problems and I consider they are the best people to deal with the matter. I think it should be left with them. However, if I thought the health boards were the people responsible for delays of nine or 12 months, certainly I would have the matter examined.
Money is being wasted.
I will have that checked out.
Will the Minister of State set up a task force?
The Deputy seems to have task forces on the brain. I am sorry I cannot facilitate the Deputy in this matter.
In yesterday's budget there was much talk about task forces and committees.
I am calling Question No 4.