Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Housing Grants.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

390 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, noting the most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office which indicate that as many as 485 households in County Westmeath do not have indoor water and sanitary services, he will confirm that the essential repairs grant as administered by the local authority can be used to fund the provision of such facilities; if there is an upper limit to the amount available from his Department to Westmeath County Council for this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12800/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I can confirm that the installation of indoor water and sanitary services is not excluded under the regulations governing the essential repairs grant scheme. The scheme is targeted at meeting the needs of elderly people living in unfit housing who would otherwise require rehousing by the local authority. The scheme enables basic repairs to be carried out to houses which cannot be made fit in all respects at a reasonable cost, so that they can continue to provide an acceptable standard of accommodation for the occupants. It is a matter for the local authority to assess the circumstances of each individual case and decide what works are necessary to prolong the useful life of the house for the occupants.

Significant improvements were made to the essential repairs grant scheme in the recent budget. The effective maximum grant was increased from £4,500 to £6,000, with effect from 2 December 1999. This should allow local authorities greater flexibility in relation to the type of works which may be carried out.

My Department makes an annual allocation to each housing authority based on estimates of demand for the scheme provided by the authorities. Westmeath County Council's 2000 allocation for the payment of house purchase and improvement loans, disabled persons and essential repairs grants is £750,000, the amount requested by the county council. It is, of course, open to the authority to seek a higher allocation in the event of increased demand under any of these schemes.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

391 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of public-private partnership applications submitted by Kerry County Council to the local government public-private partnership fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12801/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

A total of nine applications were submitted by Kerry County Council for grant aid from the public-private partnership fund for local authorities under the current funding round. These applications, together with those from other local authorities, are currently being examined by my Department. An announcement of the successful applications under the fund will be made as soon as possible.