There are a range of specifically targeted options available to assist elderly people to carry out necessary improvement works to their houses. The schemes operated by local authorities include the essential repairs grant scheme, the disabled person's grant scheme, the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing scheme and the local authority house improvement loan scheme. I consider it appropriate that Galway County Council and Galway Corporation should each administer these schemes within their own functional areas.
Under the task force on the special housing aid for the elderly scheme, which is operated by the health boards, necessary basic repairs and improvements are carried out to the houses of elderly persons. In the interests of elderly persons, it has been administered since its inception with a minimum of formality and it has been an objective to avoid formal procedural and other requirements. In appropriate circumstances, works are carried out at no cost to the applicant. Health boards value the scheme as part of their framework of support for the elderly. The extensive local knowledge acquired by health boards from long experience in operating the scheme and through the many health board employees in regular contact with the elderly is a valuable contribution to the administration of the scheme and I would be unwilling to lose such an asset.
Each of the range of schemes make an important contribution to improving the living conditions of elderly persons wishing to remain in their own homes and the knowledge and experience of both local authorities and health boards are valuable in the implementation of the different schemes. I would, therefore, be reluctant to dispense with either approach and limit the range of options available to the elderly. Local authorities and health boards are encouraged to liase at local level to avoid duplication of applications and administration and to ensure that the needs of the elderly are met in the most appropriate way.
