Vol. 458 No. 5
164 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the prohibitive capital cost of providing electricity supply to elderly persons who qualify for housing repairs; if he will take this matter up with the ESB; and if he will ensure that elderly citizens can avail of an electricity supply. [17293/95]
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, a health board may make a single payment to meet an exceptional need. These payments are made on a once-off basis for exceptional needs or expenses. The cost of installing an electricity supply would not normally be considered for assistance. However, each case is decided in the light of all the relevant circumstances and payment is at the discretion of the health board.
I should mention that the task force on special housing aid for the elderly, which comes under the auspices of the Department of the Environment, provides assistance for works that are considered to be urgently necessary to improve the living conditions of elderly persons living on their own in unfit or insanitary accommodation. I am informed that, similar to the position under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, assistance towards the cost of installing an electricity supply is not normally provided. However, responsibility for the operation of the scheme at local level rests with the health boards who decide on grant assistance in individual cases.
