Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 5

Written Answers. - Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

295 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider introducing a grant specifically to allow senior citizens to install central heating in their own homes as current grants available from local authorities are flawed by the fact that they allow this only in undefined exceptional circumstances; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, for some elderly, the current procedures are unfriendly particularly where they are not in a position to get help from their family; his views on whether greater co-ordination is required between health boards who also run a similar scheme and local authorities so that a much more client-focused approach can be promoted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25551/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

While there is no grant scheme specifically directed at assisting senior citizens to install central heating in their own homes, there are a number of options available to assist lower income households and elderly persons in particular to secure necessary improvement works to their houses. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, the disabled person's and essential repairs grant scheme, the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing and the task force on special housing aid for the elderly.

The grant and loan schemes operated by local authorities are governed by terms and conditions as laid down in statutory regulations. These schemes are designed to give a degree of flexibility to local authorities and it is a matter for the authorities to exercise an appropriate degree of discretion in deciding on individual grant applications.

The special housing aid for the elderly scheme, operated by the health boards, is governed by guidelines issued by the task force. Under it, necessary basic repairs and improvements are carried out to the houses of elderly persons. In the interests of elderly persons, it has, since its inception, been administered with a minimum of formality and it has been an objective to avoid rigid procedural and other requirements. Works are, in appropriate circumstances, carried out at no cost to the applicant.

I expect that, where an applicant is not successful in obtaining assistance under a scheme, the other options available would be explored by the relevant authority.

I have introduced significant improvements to the terms and conditions of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant scheme since coming into office. The effective maximum grant available under the disabled persons grant scheme has increased from £8,000 to £14,000 with the grant now covering up to 90% of the approved cost of the works compared to two-thirds previously. In addition, I have increased the maximum grant available under the essential repairs grant from £1,800 to £6,000. I also allocated record funding of £8 million to the task force on special housing aid for the elderly in 2000. These improvements have allowed local authorities and health boards to extend the type of work that can be undertaken in individual cases, particularly in regard to the provision of heating systems.

Questions Nos. 296 and 297 taken with Question No. 286.