asked the Minister for the Environment if he will state in relation to the housing package of 1981 which indicated that grant, loan and subsidy incentives for voluntary organisations had been extended to cover new categories of persons in need including deserted wives, battered wives, unmarried mothers and handicapped, if this provision has yet been implemented by his Department by way of Ministerial order or by an amendment to the Housing Act; and if he will make a statement on the applications currently before him from voluntary organisations such as Shelter Referral and Inter-Aid.
Written Answers. - Financial Aid to Voluntary Associations.
1003.
Statutory authority already exists for payment of the loan and subsidy which are part of the scheme of assistance currently available to voluntary housing associations providing self-contained housing accommodation for special categories of persons in need of rehousing. There is also statutory authority for payment of the grant available for housing accommodation provided for elderly persons. I propose to introduce legislation in the near future which will, inter alia, provide the necessary statutory authority for payment of the grants for houses provided for the other special categories of need.
Inter-Aid have now been informed that it has been recognised by me, as Minister, as an approved body for the purpose of qualifying for the scheme of financial assistance provided for in the housing package, 1981. There is no record in my Department of the receipt of an application from Shelter Referral for approved body status for this purpose.