Michael Ring
Question:216 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who have benefited from the special housing aid for the elderly scheme in County Mayo in 1997. [17951/97]
Written Answers. - Housing Aid for the Elderly.
Michael Ring
Question:217 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding recently announced for the special housing aid for the elderly scheme which will actually be allocated to Count Mayo. [17952/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
The housing aid scheme for older people is administered by health boards on behalf of the Department of the Environment. I understand that the Western Health Board was recently notified of an additional allocation of £220,000 in respect of this scheme. The board has applied to draw down this funding as a matter of urgency. When the funding is received, the board advise that a decision will then be made on the breakdown between the three countries in the Western Health Board area. The board has also indicated that, to date, 138 applicants have been approved for funding under this scheme in 1997.