Vol. 404 No. 7
45 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the housing schemes, including the number of dwellings, for the elderly aided by his Department in 1990; the projected number to be assisted in 1991; and if he will outline the details of the extent of the assistance in respect of each dwelling.
I assume the Deputy is referring to schemes of grant assistance for the provision or improvement of houses for elderly persons.
The information requested in relation to individual projects assisted in 1990 under the voluntary housing scheme is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. In 1991, it is expected that about 550 units, the majority of which will be for elderly persons, will be provided under that scheme.
Assistance is also provided for housing for the elderly under (a) the disabled persons and essential repairs grants schemes, both of which are administered by local authorities; and (b) the scheme of special housing aid for the elderly which is administered by the health boards.
Information on the total number of dwellings assisted in 1990 under the three schemes at (a) and (b) above will be provided to the Deputy when the local authorities and health boards have made their annual returns to the Department. It is not possible at this stage to say what the level of demand will be in 1991 for assistance under these schemes.
Information on the amount of assistance for each dwelling is not available in the Department in the case of the scheme of special housing aid for the elderly and the compilation of this information in relation to the disabled persons and essential repairs schemes is not practicable having regard to the inordinate commitment on staff time and resources that would be involved.
