Vol. 529 No. 1
788 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the way the Western Health Board administers the special housing aid for the elderly scheme; his views on whether it is appropriate that demands for a contribution are being made from elderly people; and his further views on whether this practice is in the spirit of the scheme. [1232/01]
The special housing aid for the elderly scheme, which is administered by a task force under the aegis of my Department, is operated by the health boards in line with the various guidelines which issue from time to time. To spread the available funding to as wide a range of applicants as possible, health boards may request a contribution from applicants who can afford such contribution and this is a matter for each individual board, having regard to the particular case. Under my Department's guidelines contributions should not be a condition of eligibility for the scheme and should never exceed what the applicants agree they can afford. I am satisfied that the scheme is operated within the terms of the guidelines.
