Vol. 528 No. 1
62 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce a house improvement grant scheme similar to the scheme which operated prior to 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29237/00]
There is 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 in the recent budget, the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing scheme and the task force on special housing aid for the elderly.
I have no proposals at this stage to reintroduce a more generally available house improvement grant scheme. 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.
