Vol. 505 No. 6
195 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the maximum amount payable under the disabled person's grant scheme is set by his Department; when the last increase in this grant was given; the proposals, if any, he has for a future increase to keep this in line with increasing building costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13986/99]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the disabled persons grant scheme which is administered by local authorities rather than the health boards.
Following a review of the disabled persons grant scheme by my Department significant improvements to the terms and conditions of the scheme were announced in the 1999 Budget Statement. The effective maximum grant payable under the scheme in the case of private houses was increased by 50 per cent from £8,000 to £12,000 and was increased to three-quarters of the approved cost of the works compared to two thirds previously, for works commenced on or after 2 December 1998. Local authorities may meet the full cost of adaptation works necessary to meet the needs of a disabled person in the case of rented local authority houses.
