Pádraic McCormack
Question:95 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on special housing aid for the elderly, report No. 16 of November 2000. [9908/01]
Written Answers. - Housing Aid for the Elderly.
This report by the Comptroller and Auditor General to Dáil Éireann acknowledges that the special housing aid scheme for the elderly comes under the control of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The scheme is administered by the health boards on behalf of the Department of Environment and Local Government which funds it, and chair and service the task force which oversees the overall management of the scheme and draws up general guidelines as appropriate.
While the report acknowledges that the scheme is, in the main, implemented effectively at local level thanks to health board staff who work to maximise its potential, it also calls for the introduction of strategic planning and a system of formal needs analysis. A special meeting of the task force will be held in the near future to consider the report and its recommendations.
Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 40.