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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Housing Grants.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

295 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce a house reconstruction grant scheme for residents of non-Gaeltacht islands, similar to the house reconstruction grant scheme operating in Gaeltacht islands. [26475/00]

Housing grants for Gaeltacht areas, including Gaeltacht islands, are administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.

I have no proposals at this stage to reintroduce a house improvement grant scheme either generally or for particular categories or locations. Any 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.

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.

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