Vol. 471 No. 4
137 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment the current funds available for the housing aid for the elderly in the North-Western Health Board region; and his views on the adequacy of such funding. [21071/96]
138 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applications currently awaiting a decision in the North-Western Health Board region; and the amounts of finance needed to cover such applications. [21072/96]
I propose to take Questions No. 137 and 138 together.
A total of £380,000 for the operation of the scheme of special housing aid for the elderly in 1996 was allocated to the North-Western Health Board by the task force who, under the aegis of my Department, administer the scheme. No additional funds are available in the current year to allow any further allocations to individual health boards.
On the basis of the most recent returns furnished by the North-Western Health Board, a total of 207 applications, at an estimated cost of £291,000, were on hands at 30 June 1996.
