Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2008
125 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the special housing aid for the elderly grant operated by the Health Service Executive; if the administration of the grant will be kept within the remit of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27838/08]
View answer126 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received in 2007 by the Health Service Executive for the special housing aid for the elderly grant; the number of applications received to date in 2008; the number of staff that will be affected if the operation of this grant is completely administered by local authorities; the average cost of processing each application for this grant by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27839/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The HSE's responsibility includes the operation of the Housing Aid Scheme for the Elderly, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputy. The Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
