Vol. 506 No. 2
284 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if the maximum amount payable under the housing aid for the elderly scheme administered by the health boards is set by his Department; when the last increase in this grant was given; the proposals, if any, he has for a future increase to keep this in line with increasing building costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15426/99]
The special housing aid for the elderly scheme is operated by the health boards and administered by a task force under the aegis of the Department of the Environment and Local Government which issues guidelines on the operation of the scheme.
To operate the scheme in the most flexible manner possible, there is no upper limit to the amount payable by way of grant. However, to spread the available funding to a reasonably wide range of applicants, some health boards may impose an upper limit, but this is a matter for the individual boards.
