Finian McGrath
Question:1410 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will assist in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [29729/08]
View answerWednesday, 24 September 2008
Questions (1321, 1322)
Written answers
My Department has received correspondence in relation to this case.
The administration of the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability, including the processing of individual applications, is a matter for individual local authorities, in line with conditions set down in the Housing (Adaption Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability) Regulations 2007. The regulations define household income as the combined annual gross income in the previous tax year of both the owner of the property in question, together with that of his or her spouse, as appropriate.
Local authorities are encouraged to administer the grants schemes in a sympathetic manner, bearing in mind the purpose of the schemes. While I understand that Fingal County Council considered the application concerned accordingly, the assessment of household income in this case rendered the applicant ineligible for grant aid.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:1411 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the limited funding available through the Health Service Executive for essential housing repair assistance for many elderly persons; the plans he has to increase such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30059/08]
View answerThe Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme (SHAE), administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE), has been discontinued with effect from 1 August, 2008. The scheme has been replaced by a new Housing Aid for Older People Scheme which was introduced in November 2007 and is being administered by the Local Authorities. Applications submitted under the SHAE prior to 1 August 2008 will continue to be processed by the HSE.
An initial allocation of €13 million has been made available to the HSE to meet expenditure arising under the SHAE in 2008. Activity under the scheme and the associated funding requirements are currently under review in consultation with the HSE.