Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Michael Ring

Question:

182 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if health boards are authorised to seek a contribution from old age pensioners when works are being carried out for pensioners under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme in view of the incomes of the applicants involved; if there is a set scale of contribution asked for based on the total cost of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25966/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt):

As the Deputy is aware, the housing aid scheme for the elderly is administered by the health boards on behalf of the Department of Environment and Local Government.

Guidelines for the operation of the scheme are determined by a task force which is chaired by an official of that Department and the following is the text of guideline No. 8 which addresses the issue the Deputy raises.

It is desirable that applicants who can afford to do so should make contributions towards the cost of works being undertaken by the boards. Such contributions should not, however, be a condition of eligibility and should never exceed what the applicant agrees he/she can afford.