Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Housing Grants.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

1594 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to give discretion to local authorities to incorporate young widows or widowers into schemes such as the essential repair grant or housing aid for the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the deficiencies currently in the system which leave such people in conflict with the terms of existing schemes and render them ineligible. [17358/02]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern):

The regulations governing the essential repairs grant scheme, which is operated by local authorities, do not specify an age qualification. In determining priority as between grant applicants, local authorities would have regard to relative means and needs and generally restrict payment of essential repairs grants to elderly persons.

The special housing aid for the elderly scheme, which is operated by health boards, provides grants to improve the housing conditions of elderly persons living alone in unfit or unsanitary accommodation. Typically, aid is available for necessary repairs to make a dwelling habitable for the lifetime of the occupant.

Those who do not qualify for assistance under the essential repairs grant scheme or the housing aid for the elderly scheme may, if they would otherwise be in need of local authority housing, qualify to have works carried out under the scheme of improvement works in lieu of local authority housing. Alternatively the local authority may be able to provide a house improvement loan. Full details on these options, including application procedures, can be obtained from local authorities.