Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

294 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action he will take in response to the special housing aid for the elderly report on value for money by the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4593/01]

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

The special housing aid for the elderly scheme, administered by a task force under the aegis of my Department and operated by the health boards, was established to provide assistance to improve the housing conditions of elderly persons living alone in unfit or insanitary conditions. The report by the Comptroller and Audi tor General, to which the Deputy refers, found that expenditure under the scheme represented good value for money.

When I assumed office, the allocation for the scheme was a little over £4 million. In recognition of the valuable work which is being done, I increased this provision to £5 million in 1998 and £6 million in 1999. I have continued to maintain funding for the scheme at a high level, with £8 million being provided in 2000 and I am further increasing this allocation to £8.658 million this year. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighted the need to assess the value of the various local initiatives in order to apply the most effective approach consistently across all health boards. I have put in place arrangements in my Department to follow up on this and other recommendations in the report.