Paul McGrath
Question:76 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment the amounts paid to each local housing authority in each of the last six years as the Government's contribution towards disabled person's grants.
Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Grants.
Paul McGrath
Question:77 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment the regulations under which disabled person's grants are payable by local housing authorities; and if there are any circumstances when a local authority could means test this grant.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
The statutory authority for payment of disabled person's grants is to be found in section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979 and the Housing (Disabled Person's and Essential Repairs Grants) Regulations, 1993. Within that framework, it is a matter for individual housing authorities to determine whether, or to what categories of persons, grants are paid. No provision is made in the regulations in relation to means testing and a housing authority is not, therefore, prevented from applying such a requirement. It has not been the policy of housing authorities generally to means test these grants and I could not favour such a development.
The details requested of recoupments by my Department to housing authorities in respect of disabled person's grants are being compiled and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible.