Gerry Reynolds
Question:101 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to increase from £1,800 the essential repairs grant provided by local authorities. [19087/98]
Written Answers. - Housing Grants.
Under the regulations governing the essential repair grant scheme, my Department recoups to housing authorities 50 per cent of the cost of each essential repairs grant paid by them, subject to a maximum of £900. Under the scheme, authorities may pay grants up to the full approved cost of the repairs, subject to a maximum, which is adjusted in line with the House Building Cost Index, and currently stands at £5,575. However, housing authorities generally limit the grant they pay to twice the maximum recoupment available from my Department resulting, in such cases, in an effective ceiling of £1,800.
I am, in the context of the Government's programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, examining, on an ongoing basis, possible options to extend the range of measures currently available to assist low income households in securing necessary improvement works to their housing. I do not propose to anticipate, or comment on, any decisions which might be made.