Paul Bradford
Question:148 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider the re-introduction of house improvement grants. [23856/99]
Written Answers. - House Improvement Grants.
There are a number of targeted options currently available to assist especially vulnerable groups such as lower income households and elderly persons to secure necessary improvement works to their houses. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, the disabled persons and essential repairs grant scheme the terms of which were substantially improved last year, improvement works in lieu of local authority housing and the task force on special housing aid for the elderly.
I have no proposals at this stage to reintroduce a generally available house improvement grant scheme. Any future consideration of a reintroduction of house improvement grants must have regard to the capacity constraints in the construction sector with consequent impacts on costs and availability of contractors.