Vol. 515 No. 1
175 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will pay refurbishment grants for disabled people direct to the building contractor as a means of making this work more attractive to contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5349/00]
I introduced significant improvements to the terms and conditions of the disabled persons grants scheme twice in 12 months – in December 1998 and again last December. As recently as November 1998 the effective maximum grant payable under the scheme was £8,000 or two-thirds of the approved cost of the works in the case of private houses. Since then I have increased the maximum to £14,000 or 90% of the approved cost in the case of works commenced on or after 1 December 1999.
I consider it preferable in general that grants be paid to applicants rather than a contractor, however, where an applicant would wish a grant to be paid directly to the contractor this can be arranged by the applicant assigning the grant to the contractor.
