Vol. 510 No. 3
238 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has in relation to the special housing aid for the elderly old people living alone scheme in view of the difficulty being encountered by FÁS in the matter of finding skilled trainees for this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/99]
This scheme is administered by the health boards on behalf of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. It is acknowledged that there may be some delays in having work under this scheme carried out due to the shortage of FÁS trainees and to some extent the availability of small building contractors who undertake this work.
In the circumstances, I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the task force established to oversee the operation of the scheme to see what measures, if any, need to be taken to improve the situation. This task force is under the control of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
