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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Housing Grants.

Seán Ardagh

Ceist:

373 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to overcome the difficulties disabled people have in getting builders to build small extensions due to the timescale in getting the grant from the local authority and in view of the fact builders are in short supply and they often require money in advance for materials and wages. [12520/00]

The disabled person's grants scheme is administered by local authorities in accordance with section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979, and statutory regulations made under that Act. It is, accordingly, a matter for the local authority to decide the level of grants in individual cases and the circumstances in which a grant may be paid. It is, of course, also a matter for the authority to ensure that there are no undue delays in the processing of applications for disabled person's grants.

It is necessary for local authorities to assess applications to establish, in advance of approving funding, whether a particular applicant qualifies for assistance under the scheme and the amount of funding which can be approved. Any necessary costs incurred at that stage, if approved as part of the cost of the works, are eligible for grant assistance of up to 90%, subject to the overall grant limit, normally £14,000.

In cases where an applicant faces a difficulty in meeting their portion of the total cost of the works involved, local authorities may assist through the provision of a house improvement loan.

The Government, in partnership with the construction industry, has taken a number of steps to expand the capacity of the construction industry, including the house building sector. These include increasing the intake of apprentices into the building trades from 2,300 in 1993-94 to 5,600 in 1999-2000. In September 1999, the forum for the Construction Industry was asked to expedite a study of the capacity of the industry. The interim report of the Forum for the Construction Industry, Increasing the Capacity of the Construction Industry; was published in February. The broad thrust of the interim recommendations is being acted on and the forum's final report is due by the end of July.

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