Vol. 532 No. 2
162 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will outline details of the type of works for which county councils may provide funding under the essential repairs grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7093/01]
The essential repairs grants scheme is targeted at meeting the needs of elderly people living in unfit housing who would otherwise need to be rehoused by the local authority. The scheme enables basic repairs to be carried out to houses which cannot be made fit in all respects at a reasonable cost so that they can continue to provide an acceptable standard of accommodation for the occupants. I have substantially improved the terms and conditions of the grant, increasing the effective maximum grant from £1,800 to £7,500 and extending the availability of the grant to urban areas.
The framework laid down in the statutory regulations is, as far as practicable, designed to give a degree of flexibility to local authorities, and for this reason does not specify in detail what works qualify for grant assistance. It is a matter for the local authority to assess the circumstances of each individual case and decide what works are necessary to prolong the useful life of the house for the occupants. The increase in the maximum grant has allowed local authorities greater flexibility in relation to the type of works which may be carried out under the scheme.
Enabling responsibility for decisions to rest, as far as possible, with the local authority in relation to individual grant applications has long been a feature of housing policy and is in line with general Government policies on devolution. Indeed, all of the most recent social housing schemes have been devolved to local authorities from day one. In relation to the essential repairs grant scheme, it is a matter in the first instance, for the local authority to develop their own policy approach within the statutory framework and to exercise appropriate discretion in individual cases within this framework.
It should be noted that where payment of an essential repairs grant would not be appropriate, consideration might be given to the possibility of utilising the local authority house improvement loan scheme, the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing scheme or the task force on special housing aid for the elderly to provide assistance.
