Housing Aid for the Elderly

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2010

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Questions (207)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

219 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 224 and 225 of 29 April 2010, the amount of funding that his Department provided to the Dublin and mid-Leinster region, in particular to the Laois and Offaly Health Service Executive area, in 2009 for the operation of the remaining claims under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22176/10]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)

The discontinued Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme was administered by a Task Force under the aegis of my Department and operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at local level. In 2009, following detailed consultation with the HSE and with the approval of the Task Force, my Department allocated €3.5m to the HSE, in respect of the remaining claims on hands in all HSE regions. The Dublin Mid Leinster Region received an allocation of €0.5m, the full amount sought by the HSE. It is a matter for the HSE to apportion the funding within regions.