asked the Minister for the Environment the way in which the health boards in the country intend carrying out more elaborate repair work on special housing aid for the elderly with a reduced budget and particularly with reconstruction grants for water supplies and sewage having been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Special Housing Aid.
64.
The allocation of funds to the health boards under the special housing aid scheme for the elderly is a matter for the task force, set up under the aegis of my Department, to administer the scheme. While general guidelines have been circulated to the health boards, it is left to the discretion of the boards to determine in individual cases which works, including the provision of water or sewerage facilities, should be carried out.
As this scheme caters for elderly persons not in a position themselves to carry out necessary works, it follows that the termination of the house improvement grants, including those for water and sewerage, should have little bearing on the operation of the scheme. The amount provided nationally for this scheme was increased from £1 million to £1.5 million in 1986 and this higher level of funding has been continued in 1987 and 1988. The annual allocation of funds for each health board has been increased on a more or less proportionate basis.