Vol. 571 No. 1
1250 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government what plans he has to implement the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities' recommendation to increase the disabled persons grant to 100% of the actual cost of the approved building works; the actions he intends to take to streamline the administration process throughout the local authority system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19641/03]
Very significant improvements have been made to the disabled persons grant scheme since the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities reported in 1996. A grant of up to 90% of the approved cost of works may now be paid by local authorities, compared to two thirds in 1997. The maximum available grant is now €20,320 compared to €10,158 in 1997. My Department also recoups to local authorities two thirds of their expenditure on the payment of grants; this has increased from a recoupment level of 50% in 1997. It is the responsibility of the authorities to fund the remaining one-third from their own resources from amounts provided for that purpose in their annual estimates of expenditure.
Expenditure on the scheme increased from €13 million for 2,455 grants in 1998 to €52.6 million for 5,932 grants in 2002. In line with this very significant increase in my Department's capital provision for the scheme, recoupment costs have also increased from €6.3 million for 2,512 grants in 1998 to almost €31.5 million for 5,070 grants in 2002. These very significant increases in the levels of funding provided are a clear indication of the Governments commitment to the disabled persons grant scheme.
The administration of the scheme is a matter for individual local authorities. The framework for the operation of the scheme is laid down in statutory regulations and, as far as practicable, is designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility to local authorities.
