Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

298 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will instruct the Western Health Board to carry out works under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme in cases where pensioners have paid their contribution several months ago; the number of pensioners in County Mayo who have paid contributions and are waiting for works to commence following payment of a contribution; and his views on whether seven months is a reasonable length of time for a pensioner to wait for repair works. [12011/98]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

299 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of interest earned by the Western Health Board in each of the years 1996 to date on moneys paid by way of contribution by pensioners towards the special housing aid for the elderly scheme when the work does not actually commence for several months; and if he will confirm what happens to this money. [12012/98]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

300 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications for the special housing aid for the elderly scheme within the Western Health Board area on file at present; the number of approvals for works during 1997 and to date; and the length of time it takes for applicants to have work completed from the original date of their application. [12013/98]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

301 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applicants of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme within the Western Health Board area remaining on file until additional funding becomes available. [12014/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 299, 300 and 301 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the housing aid scheme for the elderly is administered by the health boards on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The Western Health Board has advised me that the following is the current position in relation to applications for assistance under this scheme—

Number of applications on file at present	Number of approvals in 1997	Number of approvals in 1998
1954	352	149

The waiting time between date of application and commencement of works varies considerably between each application. The board reports that each application is prioritised on the basis of urgency by the board's field staff and urgent cases are dealt with as quickly as possible. Non urgent cases are placed on a waiting list and are undertaken as resources allow.

I understand that the number of applicants in Mayo who have paid contributions and are awaiting the commencement of works is 53. Contributions made by individuals are lodged to the board's account and are not, as such, accounted for separately within the board's banking system which operates within a sanctioned overdraft limit. The money is credited against expenditure incurred on the scheme and an income-expenditure statement on this account is included with the board's annual financial statements. The earning of interest by the board does not arise.

The Western Health Board has advised me that current funding available for special housing aid for the elderly will allow for completion of 344 jobs. This will leave 1,610 on the waiting list until further funding becomes available. The decision with regard to any such further funding is a matter for the Department of the Environment and Local Government.