Vol. 530 No. 6
304 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider increasing the level of essential repair grants available for islanders due to the high costs of carrying out repair works and building on islands. [4746/01]
The intention of the essential repairs grants scheme is to assist elderly persons to secure basic improvements to their houses, which will prolong the useful life of the house and thereby enable them to remain in their existing accommodation. I have increased the effective maximum grant available under the essential repairs grants scheme from £1,800 in 1998 to the current level of £7,500. The terms and conditions of the essential repairs grants scheme are kept under review on an ongoing basis.
