Vol. 490 No. 5
48 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will increase the funds available to the local authorities for disabled person's grant and to health boards under the housing aid for the elderly scheme due to the increase in cost of house repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10543/98]
I am, in the context of the Government An Action Programme for the Millennium, examining possible options to extend the range of measures currently available to assist low income households in securing necessary improvement works to their housing, including the disabled person's grant scheme. Pending completion of this examination and decisions arising from it, I do not propose to comment on the possible outcome or funding requirements which might arise.
In relation to housing aid for the elderly, a provision of £5 million has been made in my Department's Vote this year which represents an increase of 21 per cent on last year's outturn.
